World Bank approves $120m financing to expand agric technologies in Ghana, Senegal
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors on May 22, 2012 approved a $120 million financing facility for the second phase of the West African Agricultural Productivity Programme that will improve food production by spreading new agricultural technologies in Ghana and Senegal.
The funds will finance technology exchange programmes, align national priorities with regional ones to increase regional cooperation in food technology generation, and support a greater push for technology adoption and dissemination, according to the Bank.
“The programme will help Ghana and Senegal boost agricultural production to cope with the increasing demand for food in the region,” said Abdoulaye Toure, the World Bank’s Task team leader for the project.
The World Bank believes that it is possible to increase production of key commodities that represent the basis of the West African food security system. “Adopting new and improved crop management practices can increase cereal crops by 30%; irrigated rice systems could benefit from yield increase by nearly 50%; and cassava yield can be raised more than 40%,” it said.
In a statement, Jamal Saghir, World Bank Director for Sustainable Development in the Africa Region said its support takes a resolved approach to making agriculture more productive and sustainable in West Africa.
By Pascal Kelvin Kudiabor