U.S Code last checked for updates: May 14, 2024
§ 2151a.
Agricultural development in rural areas
(a)
Authorization to President to furnish assistance; appropriations
(1)
In recognition of the fact that the great majority of the people of developing countries live in rural areas and are dependent on agriculture and agricultural-related pursuits for their livelihood, the President is authorized to furnish assistance, on such terms and conditions as he may determine, for agriculture, rural development, and nutrition—
(A)
to alleviate starvation, hunger, and malnutrition;
(B)
to expand significantly the provision of basic services to rural poor people to enhance their capacity for self-help; and
(C)
to help create productive farm and off-farm employment in rural areas to provide a more viable economic base and enhance opportunities for improved incomes, living standards, and contributions by rural poor people to the economic and social development of their countries.
(2)
There are authorized to be appropriated to the President for purposes of this section, in addition to funds otherwise available for such purposes, $760,000,000 for fiscal year 1986 and $760,000,000 for fiscal year 1987. Of these amounts, the President may use such amounts as he deems appropriate to carry out the provisions of section 316 of the International Security and Development Cooperation Act of 1980. Amounts appropriated under this section are authorized to remain available until expended.
(3)
Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated in paragraph (2) for the fiscal year 1987, not less than $2,000,000 shall be available only for the purpose of controlling and eradicating amblyomma variegatum (heartwater) in bovine animals in the Caribbean.
(b)
Use of assistance primarily in aid of rural poor; multilateral infrastructure projects; forestry proj­ects
(1)
Assistance provided under this section shall be used primarily for activities which are specifically designed to increase the productivity and income of the rural poor, through such means as creation and strengthening of local institutions linked to the regional and national levels; organization of a system of financial institutions which provide both savings and credit services to the poor; stimulation of small, labor-intensive enterprises in rural towns; improvement of marketing facilities and systems; expansion of rural infrastructure and utilities such as farm-to-market roads, water management systems, land improvement, energy, and storage facilities; establishment of more equitable and more secure land tenure arrangements; and creation and strengthening of systems to provide other services and supplies needed by farmers, such as extension, research, training, fertilizer, water, forestry, soil conservation, and improved seed, in ways which assure access to them by small farmers.
(2)
In circumstances where development of major infrastructure is necessary to achieve the objectives set forth in this section, assistance for that purpose should be furnished under this part in association with significant contributions from other countries working together in a multilateral framework. Infrastructure proj­ects so assisted should be complemented by other measures to ensure that the benefits of the infrastructure reach the poor.
(3)
The Congress recognizes that the accelerating loss of forests and tree cover in developing countries undermines and offsets efforts to improve agricultural production and nutrition and otherwise to meet the basic human needs of the poor. Deforestation results in increased flooding, reduction in water supply for agricultural capacity, loss of firewood and needed wood products, and loss of valuable plants and animals. In order to maintain and increase forest resources, the President is authorized to provide assistance under this section for forestry projects which are essential to fulfill the fundamental purposes of this section. Emphasis shall be given to community woodlots, agroforestry, reforestation, protection of watershed forests, and more effective forest management.
(c)
Increased agricultural production in least developed countries
(d)
Coordination with population planning and health programs
Assistance provided under this section shall also be used in coordination with programs carried out under section 2151b of this title to help improve nutrition of the people of developing countries through encouragement of increased production of crops with greater nutritional value; improvement of planning, research, and education with respect to nutrition, particularly with reference to improvement and expanded use of indigenously produced foodstuffs; and the undertaking of pilot or demonstration programs explicitly addressing the problem of malnutrition of poor and vulnerable people. In particular, the President is encouraged—
(1)
to devise and carry out in partnership with developing countries a strategy for programs of nutrition and health improvement for mothers and children, including breast feeding; and
(2)
to provide technical, financial, and material support to individuals or groups at the local level for such programs.
(e)
Use of local currency proceeds from sales of commodities
(f)
National food security policies and programs; bilateral and multilateral assistance
(g)
International Fund for Agricultural Development; participation and contributions; availability of appropriations
(1)
In order to carry out the purposes of this section, the President may continue United States participation in and may make contributions to the International Fund for Agricultural Development.
(2)
Of the aggregate amount authorized to be appropriated to carry out subchapter I of this chapter, up to $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1986 and up to $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1987 may be made available, by appropriation or by transfer, for United States contributions to the second replenishment of the International Fund for Agricultural Development.
(Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, § 103, as added Pub. L. 93–189, § 2(3), Dec. 17, 1973, 87 Stat. 715; amended Pub. L. 93–559, § 2, Dec. 30, 1974, 88 Stat. 1795; Pub. L. 94–161, title III, § 302, Dec. 20, 1975, 89 Stat. 856; Pub. L. 95–88, title I, § 102, Aug. 3, 1977, 91 Stat. 534; Pub. L. 95–424, title I, § 103(a), Oct. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 943; Pub. L. 96–53, title I, § 101, Aug. 14, 1979, 93 Stat. 359; Pub. L. 96–533, title III, § 301, Dec. 16, 1980, 94 Stat. 3145; Pub. L. 97–113, title III, § 301(a), (c), Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1531, 1532; Pub. L. 99–83, title III, § 302, title X, § 1001, Aug. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 214, 270; Pub. L. 99–399, title XIII, § 1304, Aug. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 898; Pub. L. 110–246, title III, § 3001(b)(1)(A), (2)(Q), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1820.)
cite as: 22 USC 2151a