African Development Bank releases $1.5 billion to tackle food crisis

Bean harvesting in Machakos, Kenya.

Bean harvesting in Machakos, Kenya. PHOTO | FILE

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has released $1.5 billion to tackle a looming food crisis on the continent.

The funds will be channelled to about 20 million farmers across the continent in the form of purchases for certified seed, fertiliser and better farming technology. The target is to enable farmers to produce at least 38 million tonnes of food this season, according to a decision reached by the Bank’s Board of Governors on Friday.