WASHINGTON, May 10 — President Donald Trump yesterday said the United States will next week begin purchasing US$3 billion worth of dairy, meat and produce from farmers as unemployment soars and people are forced to food lines.

"Starting early next week, at my order, the USA will be purchasing, from our Farmers, Ranchers & Specialty Crop Growers, 3 Billion Dollars worth of Dairy, Meat & Produce for Food Lines & Kitchens,” Trump wrote in a post on Twitter.

It was unclear whether his statement referred to a US$19 billion relief plan announced by the US Department of Agriculture in April. The agency said it would buy US$3 billion worth of agricultural commodities as part of that program.

The White House did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

The US economy lost a staggering 20.5 million jobs in April and the unemployment rate rose to 14.7 per cent, government data showed on Friday.

Food banks have been running short on staples as hunger soars. The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted supply chains, with farmers saying they have had to destroy their produce and euthanise pigs because processing facilities have shuttered. — Reuters