The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) on Wednesday pledged to support the Kenyan government in its efforts to alleviating the soaring food prices.
FAO Director General Dr. Jacques Diouf who arrived in the country on Wednesday said his organization will assist in the provision of seeds and fertilizers to farmers to boost food production in the country.
Diouf, who met Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, added that FAO will also provide technical supports to farmers in its endeavor to ensure food production in the country is increased, according to a statement from Kibaki's office.
He thanked Kibaki for hosting the 25th FAO Regional Conference for Africa and briefed him on the FAO summit which was held in Rome.
Speaking during the meeting, Kibaki welcomed FAO's pledge to increase its support to farmers in the country. The president reassured Kenyans that his government will not waiver in its commitment to cushioning citizens against the rising food prices.
Both Kibaki and Diouf are expected to officially open the UN-sponsored meeting which is trying to develop solutions to ease the escalating food crisis in Africa, which is set to begin in Nairobion Monday.
The African countries have been deliberating on the acute food crisis in the continent in the wake of global climatic changes.
The conference is also deliberating on agricultural policies and emerging trends affecting agricultural development, food security and livelihood.
The meeting takes place as the African leaders want to mitigate the impact of the steep rise in staple food prices and prevent food shortages from worsening.
The UN says the farm subsidies and excess consumption by the world's rich nations were among the leading contributors to the crisis.
Source:Xinhua
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