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."
As their role in health care continues to grow, nurse practitioners across Canada are looking to Alberta, where nurse practitioners recently formed their own union — but on P.E.I., the nurses' union that represents them says it's doing its job.
As the fallout over fallen buildings in Gore Park continues, Hamilton officials will be turning their attention to other properties.
Fire crews responded to a transport truck fire on the Ambassador Bridge connecting Windsor and Detroit.
When the government touts that its auto insurance reforms might curb premiums by $400 come 2027, the ministers and premier don't readily mention what's to come in the three years leading up to that.
Who poses the greater threat to the free speech of Conservative MPs — the Speaker of the House of Commons or the leader of the Conservative Party?
As city council prepares to vote on a temporary shelter village for people experiencing homelessness in Thunder Bay, Ont., opposition is growing among the area's business community.
A Toronto centre for Black art is hosting an exhibition this weekend that exclusively features work by artists from across the African diaspora.
Click on the video player above on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. ET to watch the 2024 Vanier Cup.
This story is part of CBC Health's Second Opinion, a weekly analysis of health and medical science news emailed to subscribers on Saturday mornings. If you haven't subscribed yet, you can do that by clicking here.
Some Canadian seniors say they're feeling abandoned by the Liberal government's latest inflation relief measure after learning they don't qualify for it.
WARNING: This article may affect those who have experienced sexual violence or know someone affected by it.