MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Smith
Australia will provide $6.5 million (55.25 billion rupiah) over two years to the World Food Programme to address malnutrition caused by chronic food shortages in Nusa Tenggara Timur and Nusa Tenggara Barat in Indonesia.
Nutritional food supplements will be provided to the most vulnerable, including pregnant and nursing women and children.
This two-year program continues Australia's partnership with the World Food Programme and will also build the Indonesian Government's capacity to respond to the adverse impact of food shortages on communities in these provinces.
In addition to this immediate assistance, longer-term support will also be provided to improve food security.
Australia has committed $38 million (323 billion rupiah) to lift productivity in Indonesia's agriculture sector.
The three-year initiative links farmers with researchers to improve their productivity and the quality of their produce, including beef, cocoa, maize and peanuts.
It also links producers with firms which guarantee to buy their harvest at a fair price, helping to increase farmer incomes and reduce rural poverty.
Today Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda and I visited a demonstration cocoa farm in South Sulawesi, and met with farmers, researchers and buyers who have been brought together through this initiative.
Australia is delivering the project through AusAID in partnership with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).
The project brings together world-class scientific expertise, the Governments of Australia and Indonesia, the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation.
Mr Smith's Office: Courtney Hoogen +61 2 6277 7500 or +61 488 244901
Louisa Cass, AusAID Public Affairs +62 812 108 3816