USAID and MASHAV, Israel's Agency for International Development Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have signed a memorandum of understanding to increase cooperation on the topic of food security in Africa. The MOU was signed in Washington on Wednesday.
The agreement is part of USAID’s “Feed the Future” initiative. The MOU allows for closer cooperation on the issue of food security in four countries: Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Rwanda.
"Feed the Future" strives to increase agricultural production and the income of both men and women in rural areas who rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. MASHAV’s cooperation includes its proven agricultural expertise in applied agricultural research, irrigation and water technologies, and agricultural production in arid zones. MASHAV said that emphasis will be given to gender issues, training and human capacity building, and adaptation to climate change.
MASHAV head and deputy director general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Daniel Carmon told "Globes" that this agreement is the first of its kind signed by MASHAV but fits in with his organization's long tradition of cooperation with USAID in the struggle against hunger in poor countries. The MOU is a framework agreement, he added, for projects in the four countries that the two organizations identified as targets for joint aid.
While Israel will supply the know-how for the project, USAID will provide funding.
Carmon said, "In assistance projects Israel does not usually give grants to target countries. Our relative advantage is expertise although sometimes we cover part of the cost of the expertise."
Published by Globes, Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on April 19, 2012
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