November 29, 2011

New Project Won: Egypt – Facilitating Logistics and Linkages to Advance Horticulture (FALLAH)

ACDI/VOCA has won an approximately $4 million, two-year Facilitating Logistics and Linkages to Advance Horticulture (FALLAH) program in Egypt.

Funded by USAID, the program will work to increase smallholder farmers’ economic opportunities in Upper Egypt.

Rural Egypt Continues to Face Poverty Challenges

According to the World Bank, 18 percent of the Egyptian population lives below the national poverty line. In rural areas of Upper Egypt, as much as 40 percent of people live in poverty.

The country has made gains over the last few decades in increasing employment, but challenges remain. The current political and social turmoil following the ousting of president Hosni Mubarak contributes to economic uncertainty.

Agriculture Program Will Increase Employment Opportunities

Through FALLAH, ACDI/VOCA’s team will work to achieve the following objectives:

• increase sustainable employment opportunities in production and marketing of high-value horticultural products
• increase smallholders’ income by shifting them to market-driven production and increasing their access to lucrative marketing opportunities
• strengthen environmentally friendly and market-ready production systems through the promotion of GlobalGAP and international standards of food safety and quality

Learn more about ACDI/VOCA’s work in Egypt.