Sodic Land Reclamation Project with World Bank Assistance:

1. Background:
In the state of Utter Pradesh, about 11.00 lakhs hac. Area is having problem of alkalinity. These alkaline lands can be brought under productive lands after reclamation by application of soil amendment. Keeping the extent of area and demand of the state, a World Bank Assisted Sodic Land Reclamation Project was launched in April, 1999 for six year duration. The nodal implementing agency for this project is Utter Pradesh Bhoomi Sudhar Nigam, Luck now, Utter Pradesh. Administrative Ministry is Deptt. Of Agriculture & Cooperation, of Govt. of India, Ministry of Agriculture, New Delhi.

2. Objectives:
The basic objectives of the proposal are: 1. To reverse the process of Sodicity. 2. Development of Sodic land through sustainable reclamation package and 3. Prevention of further sodicity and contributing significantly towards poverty alleviation in selected areas.

3. Operational Area:
The pilot project is being implemented in twenty one districts of Utter Pradesh, Namely Aligarh, Hathras, Allahabad, Etah, Etawah, Orriya, Fatehpur, Hardoi, Mainpuri, Pratapgarh, Rai-Bareilly, Sultanpur, Jaunpur, Kanpur, Unnao, Ajamgarh, Bullandshahar, Lucknow, Barabanki, Kannauj and Firojabad.

4. Components:
The areas are selected based on the extent and magnitude of alkalinity which is assessed through Remote Sensing Agency Techniques. In addition to this, the actual verification is also conducted. The major components include: - Identification, Survey and delineation. - On Farm Development - Provision of assured irrigation - Application of Soil amendment for reclamation of Sodic lands. - Crop Production and Plantation. - Adoptive approach - Training and Technology dissemination - Peoples participation for sustainability.

5. Outlay & Target:

An outlay of 1469.46 Crore, comprising Rs. 989.14 crore Bank share, Rs.230.19 Crore State Share and Rs.250.13 Crore Beneficiary share, was agreed originally for the treatment of 1.50 lakh ha area. During 2005-06, the Bank has reduced the allocation to Rs. 1296.51 Crore, out of which Bank share is Rs. 856.84 Crore, Rs 178.43 crore State Govt. Share and Rs. 261.24 Crore Beneficiaries Share. (As per detailed at page no.260 of File No. 11-12/96- NRM-I)

6. Financial Pattern:
The Bank is providing IDA loan to the State Government, which would be further, considered by Bank authorities for converting into soft loan.

7. Project Cost & Duration

The total cost of the project was originally for Rs. 1469.46 Crore which has been reduced to Rs. 1296.51 Crore. The project initially was for six years duration, commencing from April 1999 to March, 2005. Now Bank has extended the project period upto 30th September, 2007.

8. Monitoring Mechanism:
The programme is being implemented by the Multidisciplinary team of officers of Utter Pradesh Bhoomi Sudhar Nigam, Lucknow.(U.P.). The progress of the project is reported by State periodically to Government of India.

At National Level, progress of implementation is reviewed by holding quarterly and annual desk review to assess the actual implementation. At State level also, there is Steering Committee for examination and approval of the proposal and also to monitor the progress of implementation of programme. In this steering Committee, the Government of India representative is also one of the members.

8. Utilization of Fund:
Since inception upto March, 2006, an amount of Rs. 1002.54 Crore has been utilized for development of 1.77 lakh ha area and Rs. 810.81 Crores has been reimbursed upto March, 2006. During 2005-06, an amount of Rs. 141 Crores has been utilized and 20020 hectare has been reclaimed.

10. Achievement:

The year wise physical and financial achievement of the project since inception upto 2005-06 is as under:
Sl. No 1 2 3 3 4 5 6 Period 1999-2000 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2005-05 2005-06 Total Achievement Physical (Lakh ha) Financial Rs in Crore 0.00 37.75 0.28 103.31 0.27 104.58 0.39 211.28 0.33 0.30 0.20 1.77 213.72 190.90 141.00 1002.54