€2m fund aims to transfer Irish agri-food knowledge to Africa

Irish agri-food companies will engage in knowledge transfer projects with partners in Africa in a new Government scheme launched yesterday.

The Africa Agri-Food Development Fund is intended to strengthen the African food industry to meet the continent’s food needs. In 2012 and 2013, the pilot phase of the €2m fund will focus on Tanzania and Kenya.

Simon Coveney, the agriculture minister, said: “The Irish agri-food sector is highly respected internationally and I believe that many of the skills developed in the establishment of the industry here could be transferred to assist in the development of the food industry in African countries.