Abstract:

This proposal requests the World Bank, through the FAO and the Governments of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania to fund a "Regional Project for the Control of Water Hyacinth, with Particular Reference to manual harvesting and the Introduction of natural enemies for the weed Suppression." The project cost is estimated at US$ 8,350,200 from the donor for equipment and operational expenses, and funds from the three Governments for staff salaries and other overheads for a period of five years. This regional project is a component of a larger regional programme "Lake Victoria Environmental Management Programme". The project would provide support for the establishment and strengthening of national biological control facilities in a number of sites around Lake Victoria. The project would include support for on-the-job training of Government staff of the three countries in biological control at technical level, the rehabilitation or construction of rearing facilities in the field and at the coordinating units, community mobilization activities (including contractual arrangements for manual removal of the weed), importation of natural enemies, provision of vehicles, laboratory and field equipment (including funds for operation and maintenance), support to research work undertaken by any specialized groups on behalf of the project and possible technical assistance by other country programmes and specialized groups. It is proposed that provision for a project manager in each country be made to ensure a good quality scientist is recruited to oversee programme coordination and implementation