WASHINGTON, August 1, 2005 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced that it will donate 17,000 metric tons of wheat and 5,000 tons of rice to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.
The Government of Mauritania will sell the wheat and rice locally and use the proceeds to improve food security and alleviate poverty. The proceeds also will be used to promote the country's development through capacity building, improving rural extension services and agricultural production, and constructing wells, clinics and schools.
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 Debbie Rubas of FAS at (202) 690-1771, or by e-mail at Debbie.Rubas@fas.usda.gov.