Question : National Agricultural Technology Project

(a) whether the National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP) of World Bank is helping the Indian Council of Agricultural Research in making it more responsive to the technology needs at the grassroots level in India; and

(b) if so, the details thereof and the manner in which the farming systems in the disadvantaged rain fed regions of the country where a large number of farmers are resorting to suicides due to high poverty level, would get the intended benefits and relief envisaged in NATP through sustainable use of natural resources like land and water?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
(SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT)

(a) Yes. The impact assessment of the project on ICAR and its needs were assessed by an external agency called National Council of Applied Economic Research, New Delhi at the grassroot level as well as the ICAR level. The Report has stated that the impact of NATP has been visible in terms of meeting the technology needs of farmers and capacity development of ICAR system.

(b) The Project was a National Project covering all the major Agro-Ecological regions of India including the rainfed regions of the country. It helped to provide needed knowledge of modern technology and its dissemination through extension support to the farmers through Agricultural Technology Management Agencies (ATMA) of the State line Departments, State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Agricultural Technology Information Centres (ATICs) and many other institutional innovations.

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