Gates' $306m pledge for world's poorest farmers

Bill and Melinda Gates have dipped into their $50 billion (£25.2 billion) fortune to donate $306 million through their foundation to help increase the yields and incomes of small farmers in Africa and other areas in the developing world.

Mr Gates has already been speaking at Davos about the devastation that malaria causes throughout poorer nations. But today, he was focusing on helping support agriculture in rural areas where some of the world’s poorest people live.

The Microsoft chairman said: ““If we are serious about ending extreme hunger and poverty around the world, we must be serious about transforming agriculture for small farmers - most of whom are women.”

He added: “These investments - from improving the quality of seeds, to developing healthier soil, to creating new markets- will pay off not only in children fed and lives saved. They can have a dramatic impact on poverty reduction as families generate additional income and improve their lives.”

Times Online and Agencies