$20 Million for capacity building efforts in Afghanistan (create jobs/enhance tech/etc)

[The Straight Story]

AGRICULTURE SECRETARY VILSACK ANNOUNCES UP TO $20 MILLION FOR CAPACITY BUILDING EFFORTS IN AFGHANISTAN
Establishes Steven"Tom" Stefani Award for Reconstruction and Stabilization in Fragile States


KABUL, Afghanistan, Jan. 12, 2010 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced up to $20 million for capacity building efforts within Afghanistan's Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL), the department responsible for managing that country's agricultural economy.

"The United States recognizes the importance of Afghanistan's agricultural economy in creating jobs, helping the nation achieve food self-sufficiency, and drawing insurgents off of the battlefield," said Vilsack. "After decades of conflict, Afghanistan lacks many of the personnel and knowledge resources needed to deliver much-needed services to its people, more than 80 percent of whom rely on agriculture for wages and sustenance. Today's commitment with MAIL will help Afghanistan's government build critical capacity at the local level in agricultural extension and expertise."

Vilsack met this afternoon with Asif Rahimi, Afghanistan's Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock. In a letter of intent presented at the meeting, Vilsack plainly laid out to his counterpart how MAIL could avail itself of up to $20 million in funding from USDA by clearly establishing reconstruction goals aimed at boosting agricultural productivity, rebuilding agribusiness, improving irrigation, creating jobs, and enhancing technologies. The funding, said Vilsack, is not guaranteed, and MAIL must continue to demonstrate its commitment to transparency.

"USDA experts will partner with Afghan Ministry experts, local officials, and entrepreneurs partnerships critical to success," said Karl Eikenberry, U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, who participated in the event. "We will also ensure that our efforts are aligned with the National Agricultural Development Framework outlined by Minister Rahimi, and also with Afghanistan's National Development Strategy."

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