USDA To Donate Rice to Senegal

WASHINGTON - Jun 18/04 - SNS -- The USDA will donate 10,500 metric tons (MT) of rice to Counterpart International (CPI), a private voluntary organization, for use in Senegal.

CPI will sell the rice and use the proceeds over three years to fund agricultural development programs focused on training, micro-credit, and seed and tool banks in northern Senegal. In collaboration with recipient agencies, CPI will train farmers in improved agricultural techniques to improve yields and crop quality and diversify cropping systems.

Under micro-credit, CPI will establish a loan fund for farmers and micro-entrepreneurs. With seed and tool banks, CPI will work with local farmer associations to improve their access to seed varieties and seedlings and will provide better tools for sharing among association members through lower-cost bulk purchases.

The donation will be made under the USDA’s Food for Progress program, administered by the Foreign Agricultural Service. The supply period for this donation is fiscal year 2004.