WASHINGTON, September 26, 2008 The World Bank and its partners have awarded more than US$4 million dollars to over 20 innovative agricultural projects from around the globe. The funding was provided through Development Marketplace - a competitive grant program that identifies and funds innovative, early-stage development projects with high potential for impact and replication. This year’s competition on sustainable agriculture drew almost 1,800 applications, with the final winners selected from 100 finalists who travelled to Washington DC to present their ideas at World Bank headquarters, September 24-26.