Federal government partners with local group for international agriculture project
CBC
Global Affairs Canada has announced it will invest $11.9 million to support an agriculture program in Honduras run by the Kitchener-Waterloo Mennonite Economic Development Association (MEDA).
As part of the funding, the MEDA organization will invest $1.46 million of its own money into the program called Opportunities for Circular and Inclusive Diversification in Agriculture in Honduras (OCIDA).
The six-year project is designed to help enhance the market systems for smallholder coffee and cacao farmers in the Central American country.
MEDA says it will work with 7,000 women and youth farmers, as well as 80 agricultural businesses.
Dorothy Nyambi, the President and CEO of MEDA, says the project will create or improve job opportunities for at least 5,250 women and youth. And sustain a minimum 1,750 jobs.
"This investment will be critical to coffee and cacao smallholder farmers delivering sustainable yields and mitigating climate change effects in Honduras," Nyambi said.
"OCIDA will create and sustain decent jobs by supporting entrepreneurial farmers and thereby spurring economic growth and community prosperity."
The project addresses climate challenges in the area known as the Dry Corridor of Honduras, which is an area vulnerable to long periods without rain.
Ahmed Hussen, federal minister of International Development, said Canada is committed to helping the country.
"The climate crisis has led to prolonged dry spells and as people risk hunger, more farmers are unable to make ends meet and often make the devastating choice to flee their homes," said Hussen.
"MEDA's OCIDA project will combine expertise in sustainable agriculture, financial services and investment to create more opportunities for women and youth facing this challenge."
Premier Wab Kinew says Manitoba will hold a public inquiry as soon as 2026 into the former Progressive Conservative government’s post-election efforts to approve an environmental licence for sand-mining company Sio Silica.
Premier Scott Moe has led the Saskatchewan Party through two straight elections, winning majority governments each time.
Eight weeks after adding a GM BrightDrop van to the fleet of his plumbing and heating business, Marty Salliss has no complaints, only praise.
Nearly half of Alberta’s Grade 6 students failed the provincewide math test in 2024, three years after the province started rolling out its new elementary school curriculum.
Toronto could get new cars on the road whose drivers will never get frustrated by gridlock — because the cars would be driving themselves.
Amidst a cost-of-living crisis, some London-area organizations say they have noticed a decline in donations this holiday season.
Prominent northern leaders have been touting the Arctic economic and security corridor as a "nation-building" project that will bring economic benefits to the two territories it straddles, but others are split on how much good will come out of it.
When the federal government tabled its 2025 budget last month, it included a proposal that tax fraud experts say is long overdue — if also a belated acknowledgement that the Canada Revenue Agency has been repeatedly duped into paying out untold millions in bogus tax refunds to scammers.
Talking with an AI chatbot can successfully convince people to change their votes and could affect the outcome of future elections, according to a new study.
While some are writing wishlists for Santa Claus, a group of Newfoundland and Labrador youth are writing their wishlist for the provincial government.
A horse owner near Stewiacke, N.S., says the current shortage of hay in the province is putting pressure on her financially.
Victoria Volkanova was remembering Jewish resilience and courage by celebrating Hanukkah on Sunday.
Winnipeggers are still digging out from this past week’s winter wallop, but the wait for roadside assistance is almost over, according to the provincial motoring association.