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Mozambique

New ADRA Mozambique food projects valued at $8.4 million

Silver Spring, Maryland - The Adventist Development and Relief Agency International (ADRA) efforts in Mozambique for he next four years will focus on several food-related activities. These projects will benefit more than 168,000 people and are valued in excess of $8.4 million USD.
ADRA will establish 28 farm research plots to serve as learning centers for 280 farmers' groups representing more than 9,800 cashew farmers. These farmers will be taught softwood grafting, nursery management, and inter-cropping. New techniques to control pests and diseases will focus on land management.

Infrastructure components will rehabilitate irrigation systems, fence new and existing fruit orchards, and establish new fruit orchards.

ADRA Mozambique was established in 1987 in response to the humanitarian crises resulting from the protracted civil war and recurring drought. On-going projects include cashew nut tree nurseries, clean water wells, and sanitation education. Relief was provided in response to wide spread flooding in 2000 and 2001.

Located on the southeast coast of Africa, Mozambique is one-third larger than France. About 44 percent of the country is coastal plains. The United Nations "Human Development Report for 2000" ranks Mozambique 168th out of 174 countries. Adult literacy is about 40 percent. Life expectancy for men is 38; for women it is 37.

Food security is the largest of ADRA's five major portfolios. ADRA recently qualified for $51 million USD in food security grants from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). These projects will benefit more than 900,000 people in Ghana, Nicaragua, and Mozambique.

Contact: Norma J Sahlin, Media Relations Manager
Telephone: 301-680-6355
Fax: 301-680-6370
Toll-free in USA: 800-931-2372

ADRA International Headquarters
12501 Old Columbia Pike
Silver Spring, MD 20904
Ph: 800-424-ADRA (2372); Fax: 301-680-6370
E-mail: Norma Sahlin, Media Relations Manager