Hundreds of East African farmers are set to benefit long-term after backing from the farming community in the form of some significant donations.
Delegates at this year’s National Farmers’ Union (NFU) conference donated a significant total of £6,500 and the appeal also received a cheque for an undisclosed amount from the Goodman Foundation.
A number of other fund raising events are planned for later in the year including a golf day in April and a charity bike ride from London to Paris in June.
Sarah Whitelock, head of communications at the NFU, said: “The current economic climate brings further uncertainty and insecurity to East African farmers who are struggling to feed their families and earn a small income from only a couple of acres of land.
“There has been chronic underinvestment in the agriculture of developing countries and as a result the small patch of land that subsistence farmers do have is only meeting a third of its potential.
“The generosity of the farmers at the NFU dinner and the Goodman Foundation means that, via registered charity FARM-Africa, we can reach hundreds more farmers who are facing overwhelming odds.
“By showing them how to grow food which will improve their families’ nutrition and achieve a small income we are helping them find long term solutions to their problems. I speak for everyone involved in the appeal when I say how very grateful we are for the generosity shown by the farming community.”
