Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - 
Farmers in the developing world whose crops are at risk of the effects of climate change are to be supported by £4 million funding.
Scotland’s Environment and Climate Change Minister Stewart Stevenson made the announcement on the eve of his attendance at the UN Summit on Sustainable Development where he will highlight Scotland’s position as a world leader in tackling climate change.
This latest round of funding from the International Development Fund will support Scottish-based aid organisations who are working on the ground in Zambia, Tanzania and Rwanda, underlining our commitment to supporting projects which alleviate poverty in the developing world including responding to the effects of climate change.
Projects supported in this round of funding include:
- Oxfam will co-ordinate a food security for Tanzanian Farmers project to help farmers in Tanzania to adapt to the effects of climate change
- SCIAF will co-ordinate the Kulima programme in Zambia to support small-scale farmers in Sub Saharan Africa
- Tearfund will co-ordinate a project that will work with communities in Rwanda to enable them to address issues relating to food security, water and sanitation and climate change mitigation
“Scotland is well aware of its responsibilities to the wider world and we know that it is some of the world’s most vulnerable people in Sub Saharan Africa that are dealing with the harsh realities of climate change.
“I am delighted to announce this latest support from the International Development Fund ahead of the UN Summit as a sign of our commitment to helping alleviate poverty in the developing world and to empowering vulnerable communities to deal with effects of climate change.
“Scotland is leading the way in tackling climate change. We are committed to promoting sustainable development and that is why we are playing our part in this year’s UN Summit.
“As we create green jobs at home we are helping other countries develop renewable energy, and also tackling the devastating impact of climate change on the world’s poorest. It is this joined up vision that I will take to Rio, promoting Scotland’s world leading carbon reduction targets and our actions, and encouraging other countries to join the efforts worldwide.”
Ralph Roothaert, Oxfam’s Programme Coordinator in Tanzania, said:
“This Scottish Government funding will help women and men small-holder producers to build those skills and, together with others, negotiate for better policies and practices for access to land and water, agricultural production and trade.
“It will make farmers more resilient to the effects of climate change by introducing drought tolerant rice varieties. And we will enhance learning so that other organisations and developing countries can benefit from these important lessons.”
SCIAF’s Head of International Programmes Lorraine Currie said:
“SCIAF is delighted to receive this grant from the Scottish Government International Development Fund. As world leaders gather in Rio to discuss a sustainable future for our planet, this announcement is a practical example of how we can make a difference here and now. Over 1,300 small farmers will be supported through the funding, and many thousands more in their families and communities will feel the benefits.
“The Kulima Programme helps small farmers move away from the use of expensive fertilisers and adapt to the impacts of climate change. We will work with partners to make the biggest possible impact among local communities. Our partnership with research institutions here in Scotland will also help share the lessons and best practices from the programme with governments at home and overseas.”
