UN grants $1.4 million to rural area building in VN

VGP - The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has concluded a supportive capital provision of nearly US$1.4 million to the national target program on building new-style rural areas with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

March 11, 2014 6:15 PM GMT+7

The amount comprises $1.1 million in non-refundable aid and $290,000 in counterpart fund of Viet Nam.

The three-year project aims to provide high-quality technical support to the national target program in order to promote rural areas’ potential and integrate comparative advantages of UN organs in supporting the program.

The project’s short-term targets are coordinating donors, relevant agencies and experts through the International Support Group (ISG) under the MARD, as well as forming a legal framework to enhance local residents’ participation in the program.

In addition, the project will provide further policy consultancy and pilot supportive policy reforms to encourage the market participation of small producers and farmer households.

At the signing ceremony, MARD Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam said that the program will help Viet Nam fulfill the national target program on building new-style rural areas, which has been implemented for three years.

Acting UN Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam Arthur Erken affirmed the UN’s commitment to supporting the country with a focus on people to ensure a sustainable growth and developing priorities in accordance with the country’s targets.

By Ngoc Van