Announcement of IDA Assists Agricultural Extension and Research Project in India on May 16, 1977

eWorldBank 1818 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20433, U.S.A. • Telephone: (202) 393-6360 IDA NEWS RELEASE NO. 77/58 HAY 16, 1977 IDA ASSISTS AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION AND RESEARCH PROJECT IN INDIA ----------------------~-~--------~----------------------~------- Agricultural extension and research in India's Madhya Pradesh State wi11 be strengthened with the assistance of a credit of SlO million from the International Development Association (IDA), an affiliate of the World Bank. The $20.9 mi 11ion project is directed towards achieving, in the short term, sustained growth in agricultural output, particularly food9rains in 15 of the 45 administrative districts of Madhya Pradesh covering about 7 milli~ hectares of cropped land. The project wil 1 emphasize the consolidation and • strengthening of the State's agricdtural extension services and help reorient adaptive agricultural research to provide farmers, on a regular systematic basis, with advice on farming practices having an inmedtate impact on yields. ,The project will be executed over a five-year period. The IDA credit to India is for a term of 50 years, including 10 years' grace. It is interest free, exc~pt for a service charge of 3/4 of 1% to meet IDA's administrative costs. The Government of India will channel the proceeds of the credit to the Government of Madhya Pradesh. • NOTE: Money figures are expressed in U.S. dollar equivalents . FORM NO. 1121 (5-76) T E C HN I CAL D A T A PROJECT: COUNTRY: TOTAL COST: Agricultural Extension and Research lndi a $20. 9 mf11 ion • I DA FINANCING: $10 million credit, standard IDA terms OTHER FINANCING: Government of Madhya Pradesh IMPLEMENTING ORGANIZATION: Agricultural Production Commissioner Government of Madhya Pradesh Agrfculture Department Vallabh Bhawan; Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project includes a) reor9anization and strengthenrn~ of agricultural extension through the provision of additional staff, training facilities, housing, offices, equipment and transportAtion; b) upgrading and reorienting agricultural research, including adaptive research in 5 regional research stations and 7 sub-stations through the provision of staff, housing and laboratory facilities, equipment and vehicles; and c) orovision of staff and equipment to monitor t h e . progress of the project. PROCUREMENT: All civil works, vehicles, scientific equipment will be procured locally. ECONOMIC RATE OF RETURN: Over 50% ESTIMATED tOMPLETION DATE: 1982 - 0 - •