Addis Abeba — The government of Canada on Sunday announced funding for two new development projects in Ethiopia and Vietnam that will be managed by Canadian educational institutions.

The project is funded by the University Partnerships in Cooperation and Development Program (UPCD) of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Under that Program, Canadian universities work with organizations in developing countries to increase their ability to meet local human resource and development needs.

According to the announcement, the Nova Scotia Agricultural College (NSAC) in Truro will receive $3 million to help Ethiopian farmers, and the agriculture/agri-food industries, increase quality and availability of products, as well as commercialize agriculture in Ethiopia.

Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, announced the funding on behalf of the Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation at Truro, Nova Scotia.

"Food security has been an enormous issue for Ethiopia, and this funding will train Ethiopians in the latest technological advances in agriculture, specifically post-harvest management, allowing them to provide food on a more consistent basis for their families and communities," said Minister Oda in a statement.

"The Government of Canada is proud to partner with Nova Scotia Agricultural College to deliver concrete results for the people of Ethiopia, "he added.

According to the statement posted on the CIDA official website, Canada will also provide Vietnam with similar support.

"The people of Nova Scotia should be immensely proud of the contribution overseas by the students and teachers in our community, said Minister MacKay.

"Their dedication to the well-being of those less fortunate exhibits the best of what it means to be Canadian." According to Dr. Tessema Astatkie, an Ethiopian Professor of Statistics and Director of the project, NSAC there is as much as a 60 percent loss in vegetables and fruits after harvest, in Ethiopia.

"If we can reduce the loss between harvest and consumption by 50 percent, it will mean more food on the table and more money for the farmers, as well as helping to reduce poverty," the statement quoted him as saying.