The US Senate has recommended up to $30 million to develop biotech crops for Africa and Asia in its 2009 budget. If approved, this will be the tenth consecutive year—except 2008—in which Congress has appropriated funds for such projects. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) controls the money and focuses on developing genetically engineered varieties of crops that affect incomes of small-scale farmers. In the past, the agency has funded research on insect-resistant cowpeas for West Africa and virus-resistant papaya for the Philippines and Bangladesh. Next year's focus: drought- and salt-tolerant rice and wheat. USAID biotech funding is prioritized well but may be spread too thin, say experts. “It takes roughly $10–20 million to get to a genetically modified crop,” says Florence Wambugu, CEO of Africa Harvest Biotech Foundation International in Nairobi. “It would appear that [USAID] money has been spread across many areas, and it may be of greater benefit to focus on specific areas, especially where there is synergy with other funds.” The $30 million isn't guaranteed yet: the Senate's recommendation must be passed by the full Senate, agreed upon by the House of Representatives and signed by the incoming president.