Friday, March 2, 2012

Extension of Closing Date of National Agricultural Innovation Project

The Union Cabinet today approved the proposal of Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Research and Education for Extension of Closing Date of National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP) up to June 30, 2014 with no cost escalation.

The project has spent about Rs.800 crore till now and balance of about Rs.400 crore will be utilized for remaining project period including extended period.

Started in September 2006 the project has been making positive changes in organizational efficiency, effectiveness, agricultural value chains, livelihood security in disadvantaged areas, capacity building and basic and strategic research. The project will be implemented as per the approved technical program.

The project is contributing to sustainable transformation of Indian agricultural sector from an orientation of primary food self-sufficiency to more of a market orientation in support of poverty alleviation and income generation. During the extension period the project will achieve its development objectives.

Background :-

National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP) is a World Bank and Government of India funded project being implemented by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India (GOI). The project was originally scheduled to close on December 31, 2012. The first stage of the project took about 18 months extra time due to the fact that innovative research projects were to be submitted. The second stage will take time as envisaged and the project will be able to achieve objectives by completing approved technical programme by June 30, 2014.

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