(July 22/2017) At the 2nd United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Conference hosted by Ethiopia, the Minister of Education, Professor Berhanu Nega, presented Ethiopia’s experience with the school feeding program and the government’s commitment.

He explained the work being done to promote local development and agriculture by issuing a national school feeding policy framework and implementing local school feeding in all areas of the country.

He explained that the government has allocated 6.3 billion birr for this national school feeding program, while community support has reached 9.8 billion birr, and partner organizations have supported 1.3 billion birr.

He said that 90 percent of the budget for school meals in Ethiopia is covered by the government and the community, and indicated that the action shows the commitment of the government and the community.

He also explained that the school meal program has enabled millions of children to focus on their education and to continue their education without interruption, while maintaining their health.

On the sidelines of the conference, the Honorable Minister also met with the Executive Director of the World School Meal Coalition and the World Food Program.