Question : Innovation Project

(a) whether the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the World Bank have been implementing a joint National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP) in the country;

(b) if so, whether the Union Government has assessed the achievements of the NAIP;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) the details of the World Bank assistance utilized for achieving the NAIP objectives; and

(e) the other steps taken by the Union Government to facilitate accelerated and sustainable transformation of Indian agriculture in support of poverty alleviation and income generation?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
(DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

(a) Yes, Madam.

(b) & (c): Yes, Madam. The estimated overall Financial Benefit Cost Ratio (FBCR) is 1.81 and Economic Benefit Cost Ratio (EBCR) is 1.75 to the whole of NAIP. The economic and financial benefit accrued from NAIP as a whole is estimated to be Rs. 23,808.81 million on an initial investment of Rs. 13,291.10 million (including Global Environment Facility (GEF) component) with an internal rate of return of ~40 per cent.

(d) The total cost of the Project was USD 250 million, out of which World Bank credit was USD 200 million. The Government of India share was USD 50 million. The Project also received a grant of USD 7.34 million for Sustainable Land Ecosystem Management (SLEM) sub-projects under the GEF programme of the World Bank. The total sanctioned budget outlay of Rs.1344.32 crore as on 30 June 2014 was fully utilized.

(e) Not Applicable.

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