Announcement of Turkey Agricultural Research Project on May 26, 1992

UOR IMMIM I I R1I I AS[ World B3ank 1818 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20433, U.S.A.* Telephone: (202) 477-1234 BANK NEWS RELEASE NO. 92/81 Contact: Fawzi Rihane Tel: (202). 473-2675 TURKEY: AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH PROJECT The following is information on a project approved by the World Bank's Board. DATE: May 26, 1992 WORLD BANK GROUP SUPPORT: World Bank loan: $55 million. The World Bank loan is for 17 years, including five years of grace, with a variable interest rate, currently 7.73 percent, linked to the cost of the Bank's borrowings. It also carries an annual commitment charge of 0.25 percent on the undisbursed balance. TOTAL COST: $77.6 million OTHER FINANCING: Government of Turkey, $22.6 million IMPLEMENTING AGENCY: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: 2000 PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The objectives of the Agricultural Research Project are to: (a) develop technologies suitable for the less-developed regions of eastern and south- eastern Turkey; (b) strengthen selected high-priority national research programs because of their relevance to less-developed regions; (c) assist institution building of MARA's and Ministry of Finance's agricultural and forestry research services; (d) establish an economic policy research capability for agriculture; and (e) strengthen MARA's capacity for testing food products to enforce pesticide and hormone residue regulations. The largest component of the project will consist of investments to strengthen research programs important to the less-developed regions of eastern and southeastern Turkey, including research institutes located in this region, as well as lead institutions in other parts of the country. The research areas will include nine crop research programs, five livestock programs, four forestry programs, and programs in irrigation and drainage. A few additional priority research programs have been . selected for strengthening on a national basis, including farming systems research, erosion control and soil conservation, soil fertility, integrated pest management, and residue control. Additionally, the MARA laboratories enforcing pesticide and hormone residue regulations will be strengthened and limited support will be provided for laboratories providing livestock disease diagnostic services for eastern Turkey. A major emphasis of the project will be the strengthening of MARA's capacity for prioritizing and coordinating research programs, including improvements to carry out research planning, budgeting, monitoring, and evaluation functions. The project will also establish an Agricultural Economic Research Institute (AERI) to provide MARA with macro- and micro-economic analyses concerning agriculture's role and performance and information on marketing, production, and technical matters. The project will include civil works, laboratory and field equipment, vehicles, training of research and research management staff, incremental operating costs for vehicles and equip- ment, and technical assistance.