The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has applauded the United States of America for its commitment to enhance food production in Africa following its contribution of $50 million funding for Africa’s agriculture. 

As mentioned in a statement from its website, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) disclosed that the newly pledged $50 million was given in addition to the initial commitment of $100 million made earlier this year.

According to the statement, the newly allocated funds are for the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) program, which seeks to identify and cultivate overlooked yet climate-resilient crops for agricultural use across Africa. 

The announcement of this new funding was made by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the Leaders’ Event titled “Transforming Food Systems in the Face of Climate Change,” part of the ongoing UN Climate Change Conference COP28 in Dubai.

According to him, “We are working with partners to rethink what, where, and how we produce food within the context of a changing climate. Our goal is for farmers and for ranchers to be able to sustainably achieve better yields of more nutritious crops at lower cost, using less land and producing fewer emissions. That’s the vision.

“It is also the mission of the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils, or VACS,” which the US State Department launched in partnership with FAO and the African Union a few months ago.”