Irish Aid Receives Funding For Agricultural Research In The Developing World

The centres, which form part of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, are mobilising top quality scientific research for the benefit of poor smallholder farmers in developing countries. 

Making the announcement, Minister Power said: "This funding is a central component of Irish Aid's response to the global food crisis.  This crisis has hammered home the urgency of improving the productivity of agriculture in some of the world's poorest countries.  More than 850 million people across the world today are hungry, while high food prices risk pushing 100 million additional people over the edge into hunger and poverty.

"Top quality agricultural research plays a crucial role in improving the performance and sustainability of agriculture.  It will also help the poorest and most vulnerable farmers cope with the effects of climate change."

Ireland has provided more than €20 million in support of the UN's World Food Programme (WFP) this year. This includes €3 million to help mitigate the effects of price rises on the WFP's existing food relief programmes. The Hunger Task Force will report shortly to the Government on further contributions that Ireland can make to international efforts to end hunger.