 
 Department
of Agriculture and
Peace Corps Vanuatu
Rural Development
______________________________________________________________
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Frazer Bule,
DARD
Port Vila, 14 October 2004
Phyllis Maike, Peace Corps
DARD and Peace Corps Strengthen
Partnership
The
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) and Peace Corps
marked the strengthening of their partnership by signing a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) on Thursday October 14, 2004 at a ceremony attended by
representatives of government departments, non-governmental organizations
and international organizations at Peace Corps’ Volunteer Resource
Center in Namba Two.
This MOU provides the
DARD and Peace Corps with a framework for collaboration and partnership,
particularly with regard to the implementation of the DARD’s Producers
Organization Project II (POPACA II).
According to Frazer Bule, the
Director of Department of Agriculture, Popaca Project is in its
second phase and already there have been important developments in the
agricultural sector in the rural areas as a result.
“Input from Peace Corps volunteers will further enhance the
effectiveness in implementation of the project goals and objectives,
benefiting particularly the people at the grassroots level and small
holder farmers”, stated Mr. Bule in his speech. DARD and Peace Corps,
share a common goal on providing support for sustainable agriculture and
rural community development throughout the country.
Under
the MOU, Peace Corps and DARD agree to implement the goals of
Popaca Project. “Peace
Corps volunteers have been working at the grassroots level in agriculture,
business and natural resource management over the last three years.
Signing this MOU is an important step for Peace Corps because it
provides the volunteers with a stronger framework in which to work with
rural farmers. Involvement of
Peace Corps volunteers who understand Bislama, Culture and “fasin blong
man Vanuatu” is also going to contribute significantly to Popaca
project’s ability to reach a large number of grassroot farmers in the
target areas”, stated Kevin George, the Country Director of Peace Corps.
“DARD
and Peace Corps
recognize that achievement of the objectives integrated into the MOU
will certainly require the support of all stakeholders including
individuals, communities, government, non-governmental organizations and
donors”, said Frazer Bule.
Bule
added that Popaca is a success story because it is working towards
improving the lives of the rural people.
It is also a project that is getting lots of interest, support and
response from other partners, including Peace Corps.
“This is a very good example of cooperation that we should also
develop in other programs in the productive sector”, said Mr. Bule.
Both Frazer Bule and Kevin George thanked the European Union and
the French Government for providing the funding for Popaca project.
Department
of Agriculture and Rural Development
is responsible for all matters pertaining to the development of
Vanuatu’s agricultural sector and, in particular, sustaining and
enhancing the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and ensuring food
security. DARD has been entrusted with the implementation of the Producers
Organization Project II (Popaca II), for which the MAQFF is the
contracting authority. Popaca II is a rural development project funded
under two Financing Agreements between the Government of Vanuatu and (1)
the European Union; and, (2) the Government of the Republic of France.
Peace
Corps is an independent agency of
the United States government that provides grassroots development
assistance to Vanuatu through skilled Volunteers from the United States
who work in the agriculture, education, youth development, environment and
business sectors. The organization is committed to principles of
development that promote community involvement and self-sufficiency.
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