$1 million training program set to help reduce rural poverty

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations will carry out a $1 million training program in China over the next three years, along with its partners in China to help poverty reduction in rural areas, a representative of the FAO in China said on Tuesday. 

Through the program, FAO and its partners in China will use the money donated by Chinese company Guangfa Securities to provide training to farmers to mitigate the risks of improper application of pesticide in selected villages in Southwest China's Yunnan and Sichuan provinces, Vincent Martin said. Farmers are expected to increase their production and income. 

Meanwhile, the projects would adopt an innovative agricultural model for poverty alleviation with the combination of "agriculture, finance, and e-commerce" to link farmers with the market. Financial tools also would be embedded into the project to provide quality assurance and financial support for the poor, he said. 

FAO will continuously support China to improve rural livelihoods through provision of capacity building, engagement of the private sector, support to rural organizations, and empowerment of the poor and vulnerable smallholders to support inclusive pro-poor development in rural areas, Martin said.