China - Agriculture Technology Transfer Project : resettlement policy framework

Page 1 China Agricultural Technology Project Resettlement Policy Framework A. Project Introduction 1. The objective of proposed Agricultural Technology Project is to raise rural incomes in selected areas in China by supporting restructuring and modernizing agricultural production, processing and marketing through viable models featured by a high science and technology content, and sustainable and efficient natural resource use. Specifically the project will: 1) strengthen the management of agricultural resources particularly in resource constraint areas, 2) improve the efficiency and speed of transfer of agricultural technologies, 3) support the emergence, inclusiveness and sustainability of new institutional arrangements and 4) make research and technology development more demand oriented. B. Project Activities 2. The project is designed to pilot novel approaches for setting enabling environments for agricultural technology development and transfer, as well as for creating partnerships between technology generating institutions, private sector industrial/marketing concerns and small farmers for the purpose of increasing rural incomes. The project would include the following components: a) Capacity Building for Agricultural Resource Management Strategy and Technology Policy in Resource Stressed Areas b) Technology Transfer and Information Markets and Services c) Promotion of Commercially Attractive Key Technologies and New Institutional Arrangements d) Public Sector Technology Support Programs e) Innovation Support Fund f) Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation 3. Though most project activities involve primarily research, experimentation and policy reform, land acquisition for construction activities may also occur. The extent and impacts associated with any land acquisition can only be determined when construction plans and siting decisions are made during project implementation. Though it is not now possible to prepare a detailed Resettlement Plan (RP) for any future land acquisition, the borrower nonetheless has agreed to apply World Bank policy procedures and standards if land acquisition and resettlement is required. If land acquisition does become necessary during the course of the project, the borrower has agreed to prepare RPs for Bank review and acceptance. The borrower has prepared this Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) to establish principles and guidelines to be used in subsequent resettlement preparation and implementation, if there is any. C. Objectives, Definitions and Key Principles 4. In World Bank-assisted projects, borrowers are expected to take all necessary measures to mitigate adverse social impacts, including those associated with land RP283 Page 2 acquisition. World Bank Operational Policy 4.12, Involuntary Resettlement, provides essential guidance on objectives and principles that are applicable in projects generating land acquisition and resettlement-related impacts. 5. Every reasonable effort is to be made to avoid or minimize the need for land acquisition, and to minimize all resettlement-related adverse impacts. If land acquisition and associated adverse impacts cannot be avoided altogether, the principle objective of the RPF is to ensure that all persons subjected to adverse impacts (