Mauritania signs food security pact with China and FAO

Mauritania, China and the FAO have signed a tripartite convention aimed at reinforcing a special programme on food security in Mauritania.

Under the agreement signed last week, 20 Chinese technicians will assist Mauritanian village communities in skills acquisition to increase production, improve peasants incomes and preserve natural resources.

Since 1995, the programme has been active in Mauritania in the areas of water management, improved agricultural production, preservation of local resources, diversification of activities and assessment of economic constraints.

China's participation is part of a South-South cooperation programme launched by FAO in 1996, aimed at making it possible for low-income developing countries with food deficit to benefit from the experience and technical skills of more advanced countries.

The World Food Summit in November 1996 endorsed the FAO programme, targeting countries with a low food production.