WASHINGTON, July 14, 2005 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced that it will donate 4,780 metric tons of agricultural commodities to the International Partnership for Human Development (IPHD), a private voluntary organization, for use in the Republic of Guinea.
The donation includes 4,180 tons of flour, 120 tons of vegetable oil, 240 tons of rice and 240 tons of pinto beans.
IPHD will sell the flour in Guinea and use the proceeds to help farmers manage their farm production, improve their food security, and increase their income by supporting food banks and a micro-loan program. A portion of the proceeds also will be used to repair nearly 400 wells in rural areas. The vegetable oil, rice and beans will be used in a direct feeding program targeted mainly to rural pre-school age children and street children.
The donation will be made under USDA's Food for Progress program, administered by the Foreign Agricultural Service. The supply period for this donation is fiscal year 2005.
The Food for Progress program provides for USDA donations of agricultural commodities to needy countries to encourage economic or agricultural reforms that foster free enterprise. This year, USDA expects to donate around 525,000 tons of U.S. commodities to 30 countries under Food for Progress.
For further information, contact Debra Pfaff of FAS at (202) 720-9434, or by e-mail at Debra.Pfaff@fas.usda.gov.