The Central African Republic (CAR) is one of the least developed countries in the world. Even in normal years, two-thirds of the population in CAR can only afford sub-standard meals. Almost a third of children under five are underweight, and over 50% of children in Bouar, northwestern Central African Republic, suffer from malnutrition. Lack of seeds and tools is a primary constraint to increased agricultural productivity. Many families have a hard time conserving their seeds to plant because they eat them. Mercy Corps in collaboration with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization distributed seeds to over 12,000 families in northwestern CAR to help increase agricultural productivity and supply these families with enough to eat.

• Tags: Central African Republic, Agriculture