Almost one fourth of the students on board here will participate in a fast tonight to support agricultural development in the drought-stricken islands of Cape Verde, the fast's organizer said yesterday.

The University Food Services will donate 95 cents for each of the 1423 fasters to the American Committee for Cape Verde (TCHUBA), Elario R. Monteiro '79, the student organizer, said.

The contribution, which should exceed $1300, is significant because the country is only slightly larger than Rhode Island, and even a single tractor, effectively used, has a notable impact, Raymond A. Almeida, director of TCHUBA said last night.

Malnutrition

The Harvard initiative is "very encouraging" because student interest in world food problems has waned in the past year, he said, adding that "malnutrition is the core problem" in Cape Verde.

Monteiro said a tractor will cost just under $2000, and if the fast does not raise the full amount TCHUBA will cover the difference, Almeida said.

A branch of the National Council of Protestant Churches will pay between $500 and $600 to transport the tractor to Sao Tiago in May, he added.

The fast "seems like a worthwhile project and I don't mind skipping a meal for such a good cause," Luke J. Whitesell '80 said last night.

Victor P. Haley '80 said yesterday he will not fast because he "generally gets hungry around dinner time."

Students who signed up last week for the fast and decided instead to dine on campus tonight will have to pay the $3.25 guest fee, Kay S. Lacosse, associate director for food services said yesterday.

Cape Verde is located about 300 miles west of Senegal and gained independence from Portugal in 1975 after more than 500 years under colonial rule.