The World Bank has approved a $12m International Development Association loan to finance the second agricultural research and training project. According to a recent statement, the project will provide knowledge, strategies and technologies to support the government's Plan for the Modernisation of Agriculture. The money will also help in the design and implementation of new technologies and capacity building of the National Agricultural Research System. It will ensure the continuity of new practices and innovations that are necessary for the improvement of agricultural productivity and food security, the project team leader, Madhur Gautam, said.



Gautam said the project has done well over the last seven years. Public agricultural research institutes are continuing to conduct high quality research which has helped Ugandan farmers. This credit will enable the World Bank to meet its long-term commitment to the institutional development of research in Uganda. The project support is part of the Bank's long-term assistance programme to agricultural research in Uganda that supports technology development and information dissemination. The Government and the World Bank place high priority on agriculture and agricultural research.