Announcement of Morocco Improves Agricultural Research and Extension Services on April 20, 1989

FOR IMMEDIATE RELFASF: )World Bank 1818 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20433, U.S.A. *Telephone: (202) 477-1234 BANK NEWS RELEASE NO. 89/47 Contact: Fawzi Rihane (202) 473-2675 MOROCCO IMPROVES AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND EXTENSION SERVICES WASHINGTON, April 20, 1989 -- Morocco's efforts to boost farm production and improve agricultural support services will receive support from a $28 mil- lion World Bank loan. The project aims at establishing efficient national research and extension institutions for the development and dissemination of improved agricultural technology. At least lO,000 small-scale farmers are expected to benefit directly from the project, which will help increase productivity in the sector, particularly in food and livestock production and cash crops. The $60.8 million project will reinforce the operations of the National Institute for Agricultural Research and the Ministry of Agriculture's Department of Extension and Agrarian Reform to ensure better and faster transmission of appropriate farming techniques to farmers. It will also finance civil works, vehicles for extension agents, laboratory and agricultural equipment, and training. The project includes the development of two regional research centers and the establishment of eight research and development units, and 13 existing research farms will be rehabilitated. Technical assistance and fellowships will be provided under the project. The World Bank loan is for 20 years, including a five-year grace period, with a variable interest rate, currently 7.65 percent, linked to the cost of the Bank's borrowings. It also carries an annual commitment charge of 0.75 percent on the undisbursed balance. NOTE: Money figures are in expressed in U.S. dollar equivalents.