Announcement of Twelve Million Dollars Credit for Agricultural Education in India on October 26, 1972

JI Q'i·" i:.1.0,._" ~,, > ( m11~• ) 1-.,~~ • INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION 1818 H STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON D. C. 20433 TELEPHONE: EXECUTIVE 3-6360 IDA Press Rel,ease No. 72/60 Subject: $12.0 million credit for October 26, 1972 agricultural education in India The International Development Association (IDA), an affiliate of the World Bank, today announced the Group's first operation in India's education field - a credit of $12.0 million to develop two new agriucltural universities in the States of Assam and Bihar. The project, when completed in 1979, will enable the two new universities to consolidate their constituent caa~uses and to become more cohesive and effective institutions. They will be able to produce better trained graduates to contribute to agricultural development in the two States. With increased • responsibilities for research and extension, the two universities will provide increased institutional support to the technological demands of the "green revolution" in India. India's strategy for agricultural development seeks to establish innovative agricultural technology through the introduction of new, high- yielding varieties of food grains and efficient application of other inputs such as fertilizer~ credit, water and pesticides., Success of this strategy depends upon efficient service institutions, including agricultural universi- ties. The Government, through the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (Ir.AR) has supported the development of agricultural universities on the American land-grant model in many states. Those in the States of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Myaore, for instance, hcWe been able to produce a new breed of well trained graduates motivated toward rural development. The Assam Agricultural University and Rajendra Agricultural Un·iversity in Bihar will follow in this pattern. With a population of 62 million, Assam and Bihar account for 13% of India's population. There is an urgent need for the development of the rural • sector, since more than 80% of the population in the two States depend on agriculture and related activities for their livelihood. /more IDA P.R. No. 72/60 -- I11dia -- agricultural educat:f.on. - 2 - Each of the two universities will have two campuses, one for general • agriculture and the other for veterinary science. The Assam Agricultural University will have its main campus at Jorhat and its veterinary science faculty at Gauhati. The .Rajendra (Bihar) Agricultural University will have its main campus at Pusa, Bihar, and the veterinary faculty at Ranchi. rhe project being assisted by the IDA credit includes the construction of academic facilities such as laboratories, classroorr~, lecture halls, dormitories, staff and faculty housing. The project also includes the provision of a new computer and ancillary equipment for the Institute of Agricultural Statistics (IARS), Pusa, Delhi, to meet the growing demands of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), several agricultural universities, 28 research institutes of ICAR and IARS, and technical assistance through fellowships and advisers. Each University will be responsible for agricultural research and extension education and for extension services within a litni ted area near the university. Responsibility for extension work will eventually en- ~ compass the entire State as each university develops. The project is expected to be completed in 1979 at a total estimated cost of $19.4 million. The IDA credit will finance the foreign exchange cost totaling $5.2 mill.ion plus about half the local costs. The Education Division of ICAR, which has experience in establishing similar universities in other States, will provide overall guidance and supervision of the project. The IDA credit to the Government of India is for a term of 50 years, including 10 years of grace. It will be interest free except for a 3/4 of 1% service charge to meet IDA's administrative expenses. The project was prepared with the assistance of the Food and Agriculture Organization ofthe United Nations. - 0 - • .. i • INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION 1818 H STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON 25, D. C. TELEPHONE. EXECUTIVE 3-6360 October 26, 1972 TECHNICAL DATA PROJECT: Education -- Agricultural Universities OOUNTRY: India TOTAL COST: $19. 4 million IDA FINANCING: $12.0 million, 50 years, 10-year grace period; free of interest, service charge of 3/4 of 1% to cover IDA's administrative expenses. • OTHER FINANCING: Government of India IMPLEMENTING ORGANIZATION: Education Division, Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), Department of Education, New Delhi, India. PROJECT DESCRIPTirn: To assist in the development of Agricultural Un:i:versi ties in Assam and Bihar through the construction of educational facilities such as lecture halls, classrooms and laboratories, faculty and staff housing and dormitories at four campuses. It will provide also technical assistance through fellowships and advisers and additional computer facilities at the Institute of Agricultural Research Statistics to meet the growing needs of Indian Agricultural Research Institute (!ARI), agricultural universities, !CAR and other institutions. PROCUREMENT: Contracts for civil works and furniture will be procured on the basis of local competitive bidding. Contracts for equipment estimated to cost $100,000 or more will be let on the basis of international competitive bidding with domestic manufacturers accorded a preferential margin equal to 15% of the c.1.f. costs of competing imports or to the existing rate of duty, whichever is lower. ESTIMATED OOMPLETICfi DATE: 1979 • • - 0 -