The European Commission has backed a plan to give 1bn euros (Ј800m) of unspent EU farm subsidies in aid to African farmers.
The cash could help farmers boost output, thereby tackling food shortages and soaring prices.
The money has been allocated to the EU agriculture budget, but not spent.
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European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said: "The impact of high food prices is particularly severe for the world's poorest populations."
Without European help, United Nations goals to halve world poverty might fail, and tensions between countries in Africa over resources might intensify, he said.
The fund would be used to boost the supply of fertiliser and seeds for African farmers, helping increase production over the next two years, said EU spokesman Johannes Laitenberger.
(BBC)
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