Centre to launch 1700 cr new agriculture research

Aizawl, Aug 3: Centre has chalked out a blue-print on new agricultural research programme to implement National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP) in 12 most backward districts of NE states.

The total project cost is Rs 1700 crore.

A substantial amount of the fund would be directed towards uplift of the agricultural sector of the NE region, the official sources here today informed.

Out of the 150 districts selected under the project in the country, 12 districts from the region includes Dhemaji, North Lakhimpur, Kokrajhar, Karbi Anglong, North Cachar Hills of Asom, South Garo Hills of Meghalaya, Dhalai of Tripura, Mon of Nagaland, Saiha of Mizoram and South Sikkim of Sikkim.

The project would last for six years and is being funded by World Bank. It would facilitate an 'accelerated and sustainable' transformation of the Indian agriculture sector so that it can support poverty alleviation and income generation in backward regions.

In the NE, ICAR would be the nodal agency for the project's implementation.

UNI