Ambassador Ryan Crocker’s Speech on the Inauguration of USDA Funded Poverty Alleviation Program
03/30/2005
Madam Minister, Mr. Wall, Mr. Hyat, representatives of partner organizations and distinguished guests. It is a pleasure to be with you this morning and participate in the inauguration of the USDA Funded Poverty Alleviation Program.
I want to begin by thanking the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) for planning this event that highlights the substantial contribution the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made to the Poverty Alleviation Program.
The USDA donation of commodities valued at $25 million follows upon and complements the substantial support provided by the World Bank when the PPAF was established several years ago. I am pleased the US Government can build upon the base provided by the Bank to further the activities of this internationally recognized and effective poverty alleviation effort.
While funding is necessary to initiate and carry forward programs, the true test of program effectiveness resides in the capacity of Partner Organizations to implement activities that are valued at the community level. I therefore want to acknowledge the Partner Organizations represented here and express my appreciation for the future contributions they will be making to the program being launched today.
As the United States Ambassador to Pakistan, I attend a variety of events that reflect the wide diversity of political, economic and cultural relations that exist between our two nations. I always consider it a privilege, however, when an event presents itself that allows me to join others in launching an enterprise that has as laudable a goal as the Poverty Alleviation Program: “…to improve food security, alleviate poverty and reduce vulnerability through sustainable agricultural development.” I personally consider this goal to be fully attainable, for I myself grew up in an irrigated farming area in the western United States, and understand first hand the role agriculture played in promoting economic development and poverty reduction in rural America. There is no reason why similar economic development and poverty reduction cannot take place in Pakistan.
To simply appeal for sustainable agricultural development is not sufficient, however, and commitments must be translated into resources and words must be translated into deeds. Towards that end I am pleased that both the US Agency for International Development and the US Department of Agriculture are making substantial commitments to promoting development in rural Pakistan. Over the years the USAID focus has shifted from agricultural to health and education, though last fall it funded an FAO rural development effort in Baluchistan. For its part, USDA has been strengthening cooperative linkages between agricultural researchers in the United States and Pakistan, and promoting technical and commercial exchanges between agriculture-related business enterprises. In recent years USDA donated agricultural commodities to government institutions and nongovernmental organizations that generated $ 63 million to address and strengthen agricultural and natural science research, agricultural education, child health and nutrition, and now - poverty alleviation.
Striving towards poverty alleviation via sustainable agricultural development will be challenging but the three objectives of the Poverty Alleviation Program – all focused on water - are appropriate. The availability of water and its efficient use are currently constraining agricultural production, and I am pleased to see water-related objectives in the Draft Action Plan: establishing water efficient irrigation systems, installing small scale hydro power and undertaking drought mitigation and preparedness projects. I especially want to encourage efforts to establish a Drought Mitigation Center for Pakistan and have been pleased to learn that the U.S. National Drought Mitigation Center in the state of Nebraska will be providing guidance as this effort goes forward.
I would also like to say that I am pleased that some of the activities under the new program are targeted for Baluchistan and Northwest Frontier Province – where the climate is harsh, agricultural opportunities are currently limited and the needs of the population are considerable.
I look forward to monitoring the continuing involvement of USDA in the Poverty Alleviation Program. I feel it will not only help bring people out of poverty but will strengthen the already strong relationship between the United States and Pakistan.
Thank You