April 30, 2008 University Announces Grant to Boost Incomes of Poorest Farmers in Africa

LONDON -- An initiative led by the University of Greenwich's Natural Resources Institute in close partnership with organizations in five African countries—Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania and Malawi—aims to significantly boost the incomes of small-scale African farmers by linking them to new markets.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has backed the initiative with a $13.1 million grant. This is one of two projects announced today that the foundation is funding to support cassava producers in Africa, most of whom are women.

To read the full press release, visit the University of Greenwich Web site.

###
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people's health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, the foundation is led by CEO Patty Stonesifer and co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.