[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 151 (Wednesday, October 21, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12860-S12861]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   AFRICA: SEEDS OF HOPE ACT OF 1998

  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I am pleased to note that yesterday both 
Houses of Congress passed the ``Africa: Seeds of Hope Act of 1998,'' 
clearing the measure for signature by the President. This legislation, 
which I introduced together with my colleague from Ohio, Senator 
DeWine, in July, is designed to prevent hunger and malnutrition in 
Africa while at the same time helping American farmers and developing 
lasting and mutually beneficial ties between our peoples.
  Food security is critical to establishing the basis for long-term 
peace, democracy and prosperity in Africa. By redirecting existing 
bilateral aid and investment programs toward small-scale farming and 
rural development, the ``Seeds of Hope Act'' will promote sustainable 
agricultural development and food security in sub-Saharan Africa. 
Further, this initiative will foster research and extension activities 
and help to build local markets, providing important opportunities for 
mutual cooperation between U.S. and African farmers, educators, 
scientists and entrepreneurs.
  The bill, as adopted, is intended to accomplish several important 
objectives. First, it aims at providing new opportunities for the 
poorest of the poor, especially women, by expanding access to credit 
and technology, improving information and farming techniques, and 
creating more efficient market mechanisms.
  Second, it is designed to maximize the efficiency of current aid 
programs. It directs the United States Agency for International 
Development (USAID) to focus more of its efforts on projects that 
improve food security and meet the needs of the rural poor, and 
requires the participation of affected communities in all phases of 
project planning and development. The initiative strengthens 
coordination with non-governmental organizations, cooperatives, 
educational institutions and local marketing associations that have 
relevant expertise. In this way, it encourages the latest agricultural 
methods and most successful business practices, while ensuring they are 
appropriate to local conditions and adapted to specific climates.
  Third, this legislation mobilizes new resources for investment in 
African agriculture and rural development through the Overseas Private 
Investment Corporation (OPIC), working with small businesses and other 
U.S. entities to develop the capacities of small-scale farmers and 
rural entrepreneurs. Particularly in this budgetary environment, it is 
essential to expand the public-private partnership in this area.

[[Page S12861]]

  Finally, the ``Africa: Seeds of Hope Act'' establishes a new and more 
reliable mechanism for providing emergency food aid overseas. Rather 
than waiting until emergencies arise to purchase food for donation, the 
bill establishes a humanitarian trust that buys commodities when they 
are in surplus and distributes them immediately when they are needed. 
This mechanism will allow for more timely and cost-effective responses 
to humanitarian crises.
  Mr. President, a great deal of planning and hard work went into the 
passage of this legislation, not only by my colleagues and their staff 
members but especially by the private, voluntary organizations involved 
in sustainable development, such as Catholic Relief Services and Bread 
for the World. These organizations work directly with the African 
communities most affected by hunger and famine, and their input into 
this process was quite valuable. I commend them for their efforts, and 
I know they join me in welcoming the passage of this important piece of 
legislation.

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