The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN has begun distributing agricultural inputs to farmers affected by Cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh's coastal areas. The distribution is part of the Emergency 2007 Cyclone Recovery and Restoration Project funded by the World Bank, and has reached beneficiaries in 13 southern Upazilas since starting on July 13. According to a statement from the FAO office in Dhaka, the distribution team is being accompanied by government and FAO officials. FAO representative Ad Spijkers stated that farmers in the south require additional support with modern technologies to rebuild their livelihoods following the impact of cyclones Sidr and Aila. Spijkers also mentioned that assistance for crops, fisheries, and livestock will be provided over the next four years. Spijkers emphasized that, despite being vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters, farm production can be increased by using stress-tolerant seeds and modern equipment such as power tillers and irrigation pumps. He outlined the goals of the ECRRP project, which include promoting balanced fertilizer use, expanding surface water irrigation, and providing training on modern farming techniques through Farmers Field Schools. Spijkers mentioned that the FAO has assisted 1.4 million farmers affected by Sidr and Aila with emergency supplies for crops, fisheries, and livestock. He also mentioned that 12 southern districts will benefit from EU funding for agriculture sectors. Spijkers highlighted that the Bangladeshi government is looking into investment opportunities in the southern delta region to achieve sustainable food security, with the adoption of modern technologies and practices being key to reaching these goals. He highlighted the importance of creating an investment master plan that will effectively link the agriculture and water sectors in the south to promote sustainable development and restore the region's status as the country's main source of food production. The FAO chief also pledged to collaborate with the government and development partners to establish this plan.