May 6, 2008 (LPAC)--After a 24-hour visit to Haiti today, FAO Director Jacques Diouf reported he intended to meet with President Leonel Fernandez of the Dominican Republic to discuss the launching of a program of "massive production" of basic food crops on the border the two nations share. Such projects are intended to combat food scarcity and poverty in Haiti.

Diouf went to Haiti, which was wracked by violent food riots a few weeks ago, to evaluate the food security situation in the impoverished nation, and assess the effectiveness of FAO programs in areas where extensive flooding had done significant damage to agriculture. He met with President Rene Preval, legislators, and representatives of local NGOs.

Dominican President Fernandez has just announced his intention to create a National Food Security Council, and to revitalize the agriculture sector, to guarantee adequate food supplies.