Definition: In this task, a passage will be given and the goal is to identify an event from the passage. An event is defined as a single word representing something that happened, is happening, or may happen. An event can be factual or hypothetical, positive or negative, certain or uncertain. While most events are based on verbs, an event can also be based on a noun (ex. storm, snow, rainfall) or a copula verb (is, was, been, etc.). The event must not be a pronoun or an adjective. For noun events with multiple words, use the last word in the phrase as event.
Input: Passage: The minister explained that the projects would encourage the production of meat, milk and cheese as well as increase farmers' income and minimize poverty in the benefiting states. The federal government was working toward addressing the threats of environmental degradation and other severe stress facing the country's land and water resources, he added.

threats