USAID’s Feed the Future Initiative Commits $80 Million to Boost Food Security in Southern Africa
The U.S. government, through its Feed the Future initiative, has committed over $80 million in new funds to strengthen food security in Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia. Announced by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and USAID Administrator Samantha Power, the funding aims to mitigate the effects of recent droughts and the ongoing global food crisis, exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
This investment is part of the Feed the Future Accelerator, a program designed to harness the region’s agricultural potential, targeting countries with high food insecurity and promising farming systems.
The funding builds on the $20 billion in global food security commitments made during the Biden-Harris administration and complements a diverse portfolio of $577 million already invested across the three countries.
The Accelerator program focuses on transforming the region into a regional breadbasket by boosting cereal yields, strengthening agricultural resilience, and improving food trade.
“Increasing cereal yields by 25% could add $24 billion to agricultural production in Eastern and Southern Africa by 2030, reducing hunger for 22 million people,” Power stated.
The investments will also take advantage of infrastructure developments, like the Lobito Corridor, to connect farmers to markets and reduce food losses.
These funds align with the U.S. Global Food Security Strategy, addressing both immediate food insecurity challenges and long-term agricultural growth.
