Morocco – Large Scale Irrigation Modernization Project

On July 8, the World Bank Board of Directors approved the Morocco Large Scale Irrigation Modernization Project, worth a total of $187.5 million, of which $150 million is provided by the World Bank.

The development objectives of the Large Scale Irrigation Modernization Project for Morocco are: (i) for the Doukkala Regional Agricultural Development Office (ORMVA), the Gharb ORMVA, the Haouz ORMVA, and the Tadla ORMVA, to provide improved water service to farmers; and (ii) for targeted farmers in the project area, to have better access to improved irrigation technologies.

The project comprises of three components. Continue reading

eConsultant2: Lessons from Linking SMEs to Lead Firms in Agribusiness

The Trade and Competitiveness Global Practice of the World Bank Group (WBG) assists governments and the private sector in exploring and enabling market opportunities in agribusiness. One of the key areas of focus of T&C is to support the growth of small and medium enterprises, from serving local and domestic markets to entering and upgrading in global value chains (GVCs). This is done by building marketing competence, facilitating market linkages, extending access to early-stage finance and appropriate technologies, and building managerial capacity. This work often entails supporting the development of aggregators or intermediaries. A key example for the agribusiness sector is infoDevs pilot program on the use of local intermediaries to effectively deliver financial and technical assistance that enable the growth of agro-processing SMEs. These intermediaries are referred to as Agribusiness Innovation Centers (AICs). Continue reading

Ecuador Sustainable Family Farming Modernization Project – Update

On Tuesday, June 30 we reported about the Ecuador Sustainable Family Farming Modernization Project that would be discussed in the Board of Directors. The project is now approved.

The Project development objective is to enhance incomes of small and medium sized farm households by supporting more productive and climate-smart use for land and water.

Component 1: Investments for climate-smart sub-projects – $106.80m
Component 2: Capacity building for institutional stakeholders and beneficiaries’ organizations – $6.30m
Component 3: Project Management – $15.5m Continue reading

Formative Program Evaluation of the Private Sector Window of the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP)

Three program level evaluations are planned for GAFSP PrSW, including a formative one, a mid-term one, and a summative one towards the end of the program. IFC is currently looking for a firm to conduct the formative evaluation of the GAFSP PrSW, and would like to invite interested firms with experience in program evaluations of private sector operations in the agribusiness sector to submit Expression of Interest. Advanced training in research methods required.

See full tender here: 1191364 Formative Program Evaluation of the Private Sector Window of the Global Agriculture and Food

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Ecuador Sustainable Family Farming Modernization Project

The World Bank Board of Directors will discuss the Ecuador Sustainable Family Farming Modernization Project on Tuesday, July 14. The project involves a total of $128 million, of which $80 million will be provided by the World Bank.

The project development objective is to enhance incomes of small and medium sized farm households by supporting more productive and climate-smart use for land and water.

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Heineken & IFC collaborate to expand Rwanda’s Bralirwa Brewery

On April 22, the World Bank Board of Directors approved a $25 million IFC investment in Brasserie et Limonaderies du Rwanda Ltd. (“Bralirwa”). Bralirwa is the leading beer brewer in Rwanda with more than six beer brands and seven Coca-Cola brands, and is owned for 75% by Heineken N.V., one of the largest brewers in the world.

The IFC’s senior loan is part of a larger Bralirwainvestment of $50 million that supports the company’s capacity expansion program over the next few years.

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Vietnam Sustainable Agriculture Transformation Project

The World Bank Board of Directors will discuss the Sustainable Agriculture Transformation Project in Vietnam on Tuesday, June 30. Upon approval, this project will receive a total of $238 million from the World Bank for a grand total of $314 million.

The Project Development Outcome is to improve farming practices and value chains in the targeted project areas, and promote institutional strengthening of relevant public agencies in effective support to implementation of the Agricultural Restructuring Plan. The project consists of three different components:

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eConsultant2: Rwanda maize supply chain development (local consultant)

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World bank Group intends to implement an advisory services project in Rwanda to support Bralirwa (subsidiary of Heineken) reduce its dependence on imported raw materials by increasing the supply of maize procured from local smallholder farmers.

IFC (in cooperation with European Cooperative for Rural Development (EUCORD) who are engaged by Heineken and the NL Government at a global level under the CREATE PPP) plans to provide the following advisory services: (1) Improving the professionalism of farmer organisations; and (2) Improving the productivity of over 5,000 smallholder farmers in Eastern Rwanda. As part of the project at least ten on-farm pilots and demonstrations of low-cost water management and irrigation technology will be established.

See full tender here: # 1188809 Rwanda maize supply chain development, agricultural water and irrigation specialist

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China Poverty Alleviation and Agriculture-based Industry Pilot and Demonstration in Poor Areas Project

The World Bank Board of Directors will discuss the Poverty Alleviation and Agriculture-based Industry Pilot and Demonstration in Poor Areas Project on June 23rd on an Absence of Objection Basis. This project has a total value of $295 million, of which $150 million is provided by the World Bank.

The proposed Project Development Objective (PDO) is to develop and demonstrate rural value chains that promote equitable organizational arrangements, participation, and the suitable increase of income of target households in the project provinces of Gansu, Sichuan and Guizhou. This objective is to be achieved through the following 4 components:

  • Integrated Value Chain Development ($195.7 million)
  • Public Infrastructure and Services ($66.9 million)
  • Research, Training and Extension ($0.7 million)
  • Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation ($10 million) Continue reading

Leading role for the Netherlands in World Bank food investments

Original article published on Dutch Government website.

The Netherlands is to take a leading role at the World Bank in tackling severe hunger. Because of the prominent position of Dutch businesses and knowledge institutes in the area of efficient and sustainable food production, the Netherlands has been asked to advise the Bank on food projects in developing countries. Development cooperation minister Lilianne Ploumen will be signing an agreement this Thursday with the World Bank at a summit conference in Rotterdam.

rwandan farmers‘Everyone should have access to a sufficient supply of healthy and safe food,’ Ms Ploumen said. ‘The Dutch agriculture and horticulture sector has the know-how to boost crop yields and cut costs, while lightening the burden on the environment. Together with the World Bank, we can deploy our solutions worldwide.’ Much of the partnership will focus on knowledge-sharing by the business community, knowledge institutions, civil society organisations and government. Dutch experts will also be enlisted in an array of projects and the Netherlands will provide training courses and workshops on topics like safe food chains and sustainable farming.

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