Research opportunities have emerged in some sub-Saharan nations as a result of their increased agricultural-research spending between 2000 and 2008. African Agricultural R&D in the New Millenium: Progress for Some, Challenges for Many, released on 7 April by the International Food Policy Research Institute in Washington DC, surveys 32 countries. The region's total agricultural-research budget was US$1.7 billion in 2008, up from $1.4 billion in 2001; Nigeria alone contributed some 23% of the latest figure. Nigeria and other countries have increased salary levels and improved infrastructure, which has resulted in more researchers being hired, says report co-author Nienke Beintema. Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda showed similar trends. But spending fell in nations such as Ethiopia and South Africa.