UN and Islamic bank make $1 billion farming deal

A U.N. agency says a deal has been reached with the Islamic Development Bank for $1 billion in funding to help develop agriculture in poor countries.

The announcement comes on the eve of a U.N. summit in Rome to fight hunger worldwide.

The three-day summit starting Monday promotes an approach that U.N. officials say is vital to slashing the number of hungry people. The strategy envisions helping farmers in poor countries to grow enough food to feed their own people and reduce developing countries' reliance on food aid.

One goal proposed for the summit at the headquarters of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization is eradicating hunger by 2025, but a draft declaration does not include that goal or specify pledges for agricultural aid.