In an effort to help developing countries compete more effectively in the world starch markets, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has urged research institutes to study various properties of starch. FAO began studying starch properties a year ago and is now working in research institutes in Italy and Thailand. Morton Satin, chief of FAO's agro-industries and post-harvest management service, called upon private investors to support the research. He pointed out that because they have long been considered subsistence crops, starch and other crops suited for tropical agro-climate conditions had not benefited from research required to ensure competitiveness in the world market.
The United Nations Development Programme ( undp ) has agreed to provide Nepal technical assistance to the tune of us $1.2 million for the implementation of the Sustainable Community Development Programme ( scdp ) phase II. The initial phase of this programme launched in 45 Villages Development Committees ( vdc s) of Dang Surkhet and Kailali districts is considered one of the most successful community development programmes sponsored by the undp .
The first phase programme supported sustainable poverty alleviation and environmental management through community mobilisation. It helped to build capacities to integrate gender sensitive socio-economic development and environment management at the community level in 650 community-based organisations. The second phase will be expanded to Humla, Myagdi and Okhaldhunga districts.
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