The program would finance technology exchange programs; support a greater push for technology adoption and dissemination; and increase regional cooperation in food technology generation.
World Bank director for Sustainable Development in the Africa Region Jamal Saghir said the bank's support will contribute to increasing growth in the economy, improve food security and reduce poverty.
According to World Bank, currently, regional production covered 80% of the population's food needs in Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), with 20% of its imports being food products.
Adopting new and improved crop management practices can increase cereal crops by 30%; irrigated rice systems could benefit from yield increase by nearly 50%; and cassava yield can be raised more than 40%.
West Africa is faced with the challenge of satisfying rapidly growing food demand, as the population is expected to increase from 300 million in 2011 to about 500 million in 2030, the World Bank noted.
