Islamabad, 17 November 2022 (TDI): United States (US) Embassy in Islamabad announced that the US plans to provide support to Pakistan through Global Fertilizer Challenge. This multiyear partnership is part of the US-Pakistan Green Alliance.
In order to combat food insecurity, the US government along with its high-level partners is going to raise $135 million. This amount will be raised to combat food insecurity through fertilizer efficiency and soil health measures.
In Pakistan, through these funds, the farmers will be trained to use fertilizers efficiently and maximize food production.
Global Fertilizer Challenge
US President Joe Biden in June 2022, invited the countries to launch Global Fertilizer Challenge and raised $100 million in the first round of new funding by COP27.
This program was initiated to support innovative research and training in countries for maximizing food productivity through the efficient use of fertilizers.
This also targets alternative nutrient management and cropping systems. This program was launched in partnership with Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate, which has over 200 government and non-government partners.
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It came in the backdrop of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the food insecurity environment that hovered over the low- and middle-class-income countries.
The global food system as a result of the invasion suffered a shock. The agricultural productivity of many countries in different regions was affected. Now the US has exceeded the previous funding amount & announced $135 million for supporting the targets.
US Deputy Special Envoy for Climate, Richard Duke, and high-level partners from the United States, European Commission, Norway, Germany, and the Netherlands announced this amount.
An event in this regard was launched by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, USAID Administrator Samantha Power, European Union Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski, and Norwegian Minister Anne Beathe Tvinnereim.
German State Secretary Jochen Flasbarth, Dutch Ambassador Marcel Beukeboom, African Union Commissioner Josefa Sacko, Colombia Vice Minister Villegas, and International Fertilizer Association CEO Alzbeta Klein also contributed to the launch.
