26 March 2010, Rome - Vietnamese experts will help Chad implement a series of activities aimed at improving the African country's food security under a tripartite South-South Cooperation agreement signed here today.

The activities, which involve irrigation for rice growing and horticulture, increased cereals production, artisanal fishing, bee-keeping and food processing, are part of Chad's five-year, $200 million National Programme for Food Security, which FAO helped design.

Fifteen Vietnamese experts and technicians will help Chad implement the activities over two years. The $2 million in costs will be covered by Chad through a trust fund established with FAO, which will also be providing technical assistance.

Today's agreement was signed by José M. Sumpsi, Assistant Director General in charge of FAO's Technical Cooperation Department and by H.E. Dang Khanh Thoai, Vietnam's Ambassador to FAO. Chad had previously signed it separately.