A new fund to improve eastern Africa’s crop productivity and efficiency in agricultural processing has been set up with a $10.6 million kitty.

The move is meant to fight poverty and spur economic growth.

Besides scientists from diverse disciplines, private firms, and non-governmental organisations in Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda will compete for a slice of the funds form the kitty that has been established by the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad) and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).

The bio-innovate programme is funded by a grant from the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) and targets use of modern bioscience to improve crop production among small scale farmers, besides improving their resilience to climate change.

Read more… (The East African)