Clinton boosts agriculture in Tanzania

MLANDIZI, Tanzania, June 12 (UPI) -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, visiting a women's farm cooperative in Tanzania Sunday, announced $70 million in U.S. agricultural aid.

Clinton hailed the work of the Upendo coop in Mlandizi, outside Dar es Salaam, as "a very good example of our work together in Tanzania."

The aid, including $6.7 million in nutrition funding, comes under the Feed the Future program, which aims to "address the root causes of poverty, hunger and under-nutrition," she said.

Clinton said Tanzania is one of only four countries selected for a new U.S. initiative called the Partnership for Growth.

She noted the country is largely self-sufficient in maize, its main staple, but "many farmers don't have the tools they need to use their land as efficiently as their counterparts in other countries."

"We believe profound transformation can occur in your country," Clinton said, "because where women learn the best ways to grow and cultivate their own nutritious food which they use to feed their children and sell at market, we see progress.

"You will become a model for all of Africa," she said. "The women here are pioneers and leaders in taking agriculture across the continent."