The World Bank announced on Monday $30 million in funding for the creation of a center of excellence in agrifood systems and innovation for graduate students.

A statement from the World Bank says that the center of excellence will help build high-quality technical capacity and research in the agri-food field.

"By strengthening research and training in agri-food systems and expanding knowledge production and its scale, the project can help broaden the knowledge base and innovation systems needed for Mozambique's further sustainable economic development," said Emre Ozaltin, head of the World Bank's Mozambique Human Development Program, quoted in the note.

The statement notes that the funds will help strengthen the capacity of higher education institutions, providing higher quality post-graduate courses and conducting research in priority areas of the agri-food sector.

The $30 million disbursed by the World Bank to Mozambique is part of a $70 million financial envelope that the institution has made available for the creation of centers of excellence in southern and eastern African countries.