Islamabad, January 5, 2016 - More than 18,000 temporarily displaced farmers returning to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas recently received agricultural support from the United States Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).  The supplies will help the farmers during the rabi sowing season, allowing them to grow crops and earn an income as well as to feed their own families.

This past December, 16,650 families received wheat seed, fertilizer, and vegetable kits, and an additional 2,000 families received oat seeds and fertilizer to kick-start the crop cycle.

USAID, working with United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), will ultimately help 54,000 returnee families in FATA over the course of three cropping seasons in 2015-16.  The assistance will also include farming water management, training on good agriculture practices, and kitchen gardening techniques through FAO's proven Farmer Field School Model.

According to the FATA Secretariat's Sustainable Return and Rehabilitation Strategy, some 311,000 families will return to FATA by December 2016, most of whom are small farmers who, without assistance, would face multiple challenges in meeting their basic needs.  The U.S. Government is helping the Government of Pakistan meet these challenges with a comprehensive set of programs, including humanitarian assistance as well as housing, educational, and livelihood support to help rebuild stable communities.