USDA provides $36 million in food aid to Yemen

USDA provides $36 million in food aid to Yemen    The U.S. Department of Agriculture will donate $36 million of food aid to Yemen, which includes 10,000 metric tons of non-fat dry milk, 44,000 metric tons of wheat, and 13,500 metric tons of flour.
   USDA said the proceeds from the sales of U.S. powdered milk, valued at $20.7 million, will be used by the Yemeni government to help finance development activities that promote agricultural and fisheries, improve health and education, and create jobs.
   Yemen produces very little milk, importing large volumes of milk products annually. The country’s dairy industry relies on imports of powdered milk to make milk drinks, yogurt, ice cream and other dairy products.
   The powdered milk is donated by the USDA under the Section 416(b) program, which is administered by the Foreign Agricultural Service. Section 416(b) provides for donations of Commodity Credit Corp.-owned surplus commodities for assistance to developing and friendly countries.
   USDA said the proceeds from sales of the U.S. wheat and wheat flour, valued at $15.5 million, will be used by the Yemeni government to finance irrigation projects, expand agribusiness, increase horticultural, livestock, and fisheries production and improve roads, health and sanitation in rural areas.
   Yemen produced less than 150,000 tons of wheat in each of the past three years, requiring wheat imports of 1.3 million tons in 2002. “This donation will help Yemen respond to increased commercial milling and population growth,” USDA said.
   The U.S. wheat and flour is being provided as a grant under the Food for Progress program funded by a transfer from P.L. 480, Title I, administered by the Foreign Agricultural Service.