September 05, 2007	Wednesday	Sha'aban 22, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Sept 4: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations entered into a $300,000 partnership with the ministry of food, agriculture and livestock (Minfal) in a project for emergency assistance to support the rehabilitation of the agricultural, livestock and fisheries sectors in cyclone affected areas of Balochistan and rebuild livelihoods of poor rural households.

The partnership was sealed in a document signed here on Tuesday. It was attended by, Federal Minister for Food, Agriculture and Livestock Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan and FAO Representative Mohammad Burale Farah; other senior officials were present on the occasion.

The project emphasis on damage assessment for the agricultural sector, focusing on crop production, livestock, on- farm irrigation structures and fisheries (marine and aquaculture); preparation of an integrated early recovery and longer-term rehabilitation strategy and action plan for the agricultural sector taking the livelihood approach into account.

It also cover provision of compound feed and fodder to poor and food insecure livestock owners to ensure the continued survival of their livestock in the absence of other alternatives; provision of assistance to the government in mobilising the financial resources required for the early recovery and long-term rehabilitation strategy and plan for the agricultural sector from domestic and international sources.