The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said Tuesday it has approved a 30-million-dollar loan to help improve and modernize agriculture science and technology in Vietnam, REPORTED DPA. The Manila-based ADB said the loan would fund a project aimed at addressing the critical areas of agricultural research, extension and rural-based training. "It aims to promote more client-oriented activities with improved mechanisms for disseminating technology that reflects demand, develop better physical and human resources and improve linkages among the three covered areas," the bank said in a statement. The ADB said access to new technologies by farmers and agro-based enterprises was essential as Vietnam's agriculture gradually shifts its focus from increased production volumes to increased values. Under the project, research proposals that respond to the sector's practical need as well as training and graduate studies for staff of agricultural research institutes would be funded. "The project will also support on-farm demonstration trials through contractual arrangements with regional or national research institutes to strengthen the links between research and extension," the bank said. Teachers will also be trained in 10 rural-based technical and vocational training schools, where equipment and facilities will likewise be upgraded. The ADB said the Vietnamese government will contribute 10 million dollars to the project's total cost of an estimated 40 million dollars.
