Ethiopia, World Bank sign $80m grant agreement

Addis Ababa, September 24, 2020 (FBC) –Ethiopian and the World Bank yesterday signed $80 million grant agreement aimed at supporting the completion of the second phase of agricultural growth project (AGP II).

The bank approved the financing from the International Development Association (IDA) last week to support the government of Ethiopia to boost agricultural productivity and enhance market access for smallholder farmers.

The financing agreement was signed by Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance and Ousmane Dione, World Bank Country Director for Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan and South Sudan.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ahmed Shide said the World Bank has played an indispensable role in reducing poverty and improving the living standard of Ethiopians.

AGPII has helped to increase access to agricultural services for nearly 1.4 million smallholder farmers (37% women).

It has also successfully promoted over 254 new agricultural technologies with significant impact on crop productivity as well as climate-smart interventions.

Additionally, the program has been instrumental in helping farmers adapt to climate change by completing 2,629 new small-scale irrigation schemes and upgrading existing irrigation infrastructure, which made possible the irrigation of 23,290 hectares of agricultural land.

AGPII is implemented in 167 woredas in Amhara, Oromia, SNNPR, Tigray, Benishangul-Gumuz, Gambella and Harari regional states as well as Dire Dawa city administration.