Maharashtra Agricultural Competitiveness Project

Status Report

on

Environmental Safeguard

Prepared by

Environment & Social Cell, MACP

April 2013

1

Status Report on Environmental Safeguard

A. Introduction:

The overall assessment of the MACP interventions in terms of social and environmental

considerations is positive. The Integrated Environment and Social Assessment (IESA) shows

that while there is very low risk of negative social and environmental impacts, there are high

positive social impacts and opportunities to enhance the environmental performance of the

project. The major outcome of the IESA is the Environmental and Social Management

Framework (ESMF) which is a decision making tool to ensure that project design and

implementation is socially responsive and environmentally sound.

The findings of IESA have clearly underlined the need to have a separate Environment and

Social Cell (ESC) within the project. In compliance with this, an ESC has been set up in which

Environment Specialist and Social Development Specialist are coordinating with PIUs ensuring

implementation of ESMF through PIUs.

B. Environment Management Activities:

Under PCU Budget a provision of Rs. 1 Cr. has been made under ESMF & Tribal Development

Activities (to organize workshops, trainings, demonstrations etc.). On farm demonstrations on

Integrated Pest and Nutrient Management will be undertaken to educate farmers about

sustainable farming practices. Total projected expenditure for 33 districts during project period of

six years is Rs. 53.13 lakhs. IPNM Programme will be implemented in accordance with phases of

project. Based on need of the project Rs. 47.00 Lac will be utilized on the activities such as IESA

Dissemination Workshops, Orientation Workshops for PCU & PIU staff; Service Providers;

Implementing Agencies such as Village Panchayats, APMCs, Motivational Trainings for tribals

and printing of Manuals.

The activities commenced and undertaken for Environment Management under ESMF are on

farm demonstrations on Integrated Pest and Nutrient Management, IESA Dissemination

Workshops in Phase II Districts, Environment Management Action Plans, monitoring

compliance of ESMF, screening & approval to MMIPs, training and orientation to Line

Department officials, SPs, Trainers etc. Major activities undertaken as environmental

management are described below in brief.

i. Demonstrations on IPM & INM

On farm demonstrations on Integrated Pest Management and Integrated Nutrient Management

are undertaken to educate farmers about sustainable farming practices. The strategy is combined

as Integrated Pest and Nutrient Management (IPNM) Programme. IPNM Programme is

implemented in accordance with phases of project. These demonstrations are being conducted

with the help of ATMA, the nodal agency engaged for undertaking agriculture related

demonstrations and trainings under the project.

Demonstrations were conducted in Rabbi Season of 2011-12 and Kharip Season of 2012 in all

Phase I districts. Demonstrations were undertaken in 05 districts in Kharip Season of 2012 and

Rabbi Season of 2012-13 in rest of the 06 districts of Phase II. Demonstrations on 100 Acre area

per district are planned. Demonstrations on total area of 1794 and 1287 (total 3081) Acres were

undertaken in Phase I and Phase II districts respectively. Agri Marketing Experts engaged under

the project at ATMA level monitor the implementation. Selected photographs of the

demonstrations are attached herewith as Annexure I.

During Implementation Support Mission (December 26-30, 2011), Bank showed concern on

documentation of the positive gains of IPM & INM demonstrations to assess their potential for

large scale replication. For the compliance of this key agreed action point, ESC developed a

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format for data collection in this regard and shared it with the Bank. The format is distributed to

the field functionaries and regular data collection is in progress.

During visit for review of Environment Safeguards (Dec. 27-28, 2012), Sr. Environment

Specialist, WB directed the ESC to monitor adoption of IPM & INM technologies in the area of

demonstrations as well as in the nearby area. In compliance to this, an indicator is included in the

M&E process of the project so that the adoption rate can be tracked. Dr. Joshi also directed the

project team on undertaking the IPM and INM demonstrations separately on pilot basis to assess

exact benefits as well as limitations for further improvements in the technologies. The project is

preparing a plan to undertake IPM and INM demonstrations separately in coming Kharip Season.

ii. IESA Dissemination Workshops

IESA dissemination workshops are conducted for Phase I as well as Phase II districts with the

help of two teams during 5th to 9

th July 2010 and 25

th to 27

th September 2012, respectively. Two

teams were formulated to conduct these workshops. For Phase I IESA workshops, one team

conducted five workshops at Akola, Buldana, Jalna, Aurangabad & Ahmednagar and another

team conducted the workshops at Amaravati, Washim, Yavatmal, Hingoli & Parbhani.

For Phase II, the workshops were organized by clubbing minimum two districts at a place

considering geographical distance and demography of the area. The workshops were organized at

Chandrapur, Bhandara, Nagpur, Latur and Solapur. One team conducted three workshops in

Vidarbha region and other team conducted two workshops in Marathwada region.

The members of APMC, RH, line department officials etc. participated in the workshops.

Selected photographs of the workshops conducted for Phase I as well as Phase II are attached

herewith as Annexure I.

iii. Environmental and Social Guidelines issued

Environmental and Social Guidelines to Line Departments

Guidelines for Service Providers

Guidelines for Contractors (civil works)

Guidelines for implementation of IPNM Demonstrations

Guidelines on implementation of ESMF for PIUs

Environmental and Social Guidelines for PIU-AHD

iv. Publication of Environment & Social Management Manual

ESC has developed an Environment & Social Management Manual which describes the ESMF to

be applied during various project interventions in detail. It also includes all the guidelines

developed and issued by ESC and various groups and organizations to be promoted at grass root

level. This manual is published in Marathi language keeping in view of its utility at field level

and by farmer also. The ESM manual will be made available to line departments, implementing

agencies; service providers etc. and it will be uploaded on project portal also.

v. ESMF Screening & Approval to MMIPs:

After ESMF Screening, approval is given to 104 Rural Haats, 19 APMCs and 05 LSMs Market

Modernization & Improvement Plans of Phase I. Similarly approval is given to 21 Rural Haats

Market Modernization & Improvement Plans of Phase II after ESMF screening.

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Environment Management Action Plans

During Implementation Support Mission (December 26-30, 2011), Bank has agreed to exempt

some preselected Rural Haats from Phase I which were not complying with the ESMF screening

(i.e. sites are in 200 m from natural water bodies or 100 m from dry river bed). Bank suggested

preparing Environment Management Plans for these RHs giving the mitigation measures for

avoiding adverse impacts on the natural water bodies, such as compost pits for handling organic

waste, proper sloping and drainage, collection of non-degradable solid waste etc. In compliance

with the above condition, ESC has prepared Environment Management Action Plans (EMAPs)

for in-house Rural Haats and shared it with the Bank. These EMAPs were forwarded to PIU-AM

for its implementation at respective RHs.

From Phase I districts, 29 RHs have been identified in this category for application of EMAPs.

Out of which 11 EMAPs were prepared inhouse and 18 EMAPs submitted by the SPs have been

approved by ESC after visiting majority of the RHs. A format has been developed by ESC for

reporting compliance of EMAP and ESC is strictly monitoring the compliance through field

visits and reporting from MFEs and SPs.

From Phase II districts, out of 88 selected RHs about 33 RHs are identified in this category for

application of EMAPs by ESC. The list of 33 RHs does not include RHs from Gondia,

Chandrapur and Gadchiroli districts. During recent visit (December 2012) of Sr. Environment

Specialist, WB this issue was discussed and Dr. Joshi agreed for the relaxation on the condition

of implementation of additional mitigation measures in the form of EMAP and the EMAP should

be a part of the RH-MIP. He also mentioned that this relaxation is strictly for the existing RHs

and not for the new RHs proposed to be constructed near water bodies.

Package wise list of rural haats with applicability of EMAP from Phase I & II is enclosed as

Annexure II.

vi. Training and Orientation:

ESC assessed the need for orientation on ESMF to the personnel engaged at various levels in

different project activities. Field staff, implementing agencies, SPs are being orientated on ESMF

through dialogue, workshops and training programs organized by the project. The theme of the

orientation is decided keeping in view of the participants. Integration of ESMF in various project

activities is the theme for line department officers and trainers. Role of the service providers in

environment management and inclusion of Environmental Issues & Mitigation Measures in RH-

MIPs and MMIPs is the agenda for orientation to market field engineers, service providers,

consultants and civil contractors. In the trainings for agri marketing experts and Service

Providers for agriculture as well as animal husbandry component; guidelines on IPNM

demonstrations, need for sustainable agriculture is the main focus. Awareness on environmental

issues related to livestock is the theme in the departmental training programs conducted by PIU-

AH.

C. Compliance of Key Agreed Actions

A tabular presentation of the key agreed actions raised for environmental safeguards by the Bank

and its compliance by the project is as under.

WB IS

Mission

Key Agreed Action Point By When Compliance/ Status

December

2011

Mission

Share with the Bank a

IPM/INM documentation

framework

January

31, 2012 Completed

June 2012

Mission a. Exposure visit of SMU

and Envt unit to AACP

Sep 30,

2012 Completed

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D. Monitoring compliance of ESMF

Environment Management Plan and Checklist were included in the standard bid document (W2)

for APMC civil works under Clause 5.3(k), 16 & 27.1 of Special Conditions of Contract.

Submission of EMP and its compliance is made mandatory for the contractor. Monitoring of

compliance of EMP at field is undertaken through reporting by MFEs and field visits by ESC.

Selected photographs of the field visits are attached herewith as Annexure I.

For monitoring and evaluation, environmental indicators were finalized with experts of the M&E

consultant. During recent visit (December 2012), Dr. Joshi, Sr. Environment Specialist, WB

directed the project team for monitoring the adoption rate of IPM & INM by farmers of

demonstration area as well as by the farmers of adjacent area in future. The M&E consultant has

been informed about this concern and directed to monitor the adoption rate in the demonstration

area and adjacent area.

As a part of ESMF monitoring; regular follow up visits are paid along with concerned staff of

PIUs to sub projects.

E. IEC Strategy

With an objective to make environmental awareness regarding various MACP activities the IEC

material such as leaflets, posters and manuals are finalized and submitted to concerned officer for

printing. Environment management activities for various components of the project are being

included in the documentary to be prepared on MACP.

F. Planning for near future

IPM & INM Demonstrations in Phase II Districts in Kharip 2013

Separate IPM and INM demonstrations on pilot basis to assess exact benefits as well as

limitations for further improvements in the technologies

Plantation during coming Monsoon Season in Phase I & Phase II Rural Haats as well as APMCs

where project activities are in progress

IESA Dissemination Workshops in Phase III districts

Publication of Leaflets on ESMF

Monitoring of compliance of EMP at field through MFEs and field visits by ESC

Visit to Chandrapur, Gadchiroli and Gondia districts for verification of information regarding

ES-1 screening

Annexure I

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Photographs

i. IPM & INM Demonstrations

Training to Farmer about Auto Confusion

Technology for Paddy at Isapur, Tal. Kuhi,

Dist. Nagpur

Farmers Field School about IPM & INM for

Cotton at Shevga, Dist. Jalna

Training to Farmers about Pheromone Trap at Barshitakali, Akola

and Sonala, Buldhana

Seed Treatment in progress at Bhui Dhanora,

Tal. Gangapur Dist. Aurangabad

Input Kit Distribution at Dangargaon Tal.

Ghatanji Dist. Yavatmal

Annexure I

6

ii. IESA Dissemination Workshops in Phase I & II Districts

iii. Field Visits in Phase I & II Districts

IESA Dissemination Workshop at Akola :

Phase I IESA Dissemination Workshop at Bhandara :

Phase II

Field Visit at IPM & INM Demo Plot,

Dist. Akola

Field Visit at RH Shirur Kasar, Dist. Beed

Environmental Safeguard Review Mission, Dec.

2012; Visit at APMC Lasur Station, Dist. A’nagar

Field Visit at APMC Chikhli, Dist. Buldhana

Annexure II

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District and Packagewise list of Environment Management Action Plans

Sr.

No. Package No. District Name of RH

EMAP

Prepared Status

Phase I

1

Inhouse A'Nagar

Kashti Y Completed

2 Nighoj Y Completed

3 Belapur Y Completed

4 Belwandi Y Completed

5 Kolhar Y Compliance in progress

6 Dadh Y Compliance in progress

7 Savli Vihir Y Compliance in progress

8 Astgaon Y Compliance in progress

9 Puntamba Y Compliance in progress

10 Package 3 A'bad

Galle Borgaon Y Compliance in progress

11 Savangi Bazar Y Compliance in progress

12

Package 1, 4

& 5

Akola

Borgaon Manju Y Completed

13 Adgaon Buzurg Y Completed

14 Paras Y Completed

15 Wadegaon Y Completed

16

Amrawati

Hiwarkhed Y Completed

17 Jarud Y Completed

18

Shirajgaon

Kasba

Y Completed

19 Tiwsa Y Completed

20 Loni Y Compliance in progress

21

Buldhana

Sakharkherda Y Completed

22 Chandol Y Completed

23 Deulgaon Mahi Y Completed

24

Pimpalgaon

Kale

Y Completed

25 Asalgaon Y Compliance in progress

26 Washim Shelu Bazar Y Compliance in progress

27

Package 6 Parbhani

Rani Sawargaon Y Compliance in progress

28 Deulgaon Ghat Y Compliance in progress

29 Yevatmal Mukutban Y Compliance in progress

Phase II

1

Inhouse

Latur Ujni N

2 Osmanabad

Ter N

3 Shiradhon N

4

Solapur

Tembhurni Y Compliance in Progress

5 Bhalvani Y Tender Process in progress

6 Piliv Y Compliance in Progress

7 Akluj Y Compliance in Progress

8 Yashwant Nagar Y Compliance in Progress

9 Natepute Y Compliance in Progress

10

Package 1

Wardha Wadner

Service Provider is appointed recently

11

Bhandara

Warthi

12 Mohadi

13 Andhalgaon

14 Sihor

15 Thana

16 Adyal

17 Ganeshpur

Annexure II

8

18

Nagpur

Mandhal

19 Sirsi

20 Savargaon

21

Package 2

Nanded

Manatha

Service Provider is appointed recently

22 Pethwadaj

23 Sagroli

24 Shahpur

25 Barbada

26 Kurula

27

Beed

Kada

28 Aashti

29 Shirur Kasar

30 Raimoh

31 Neknur

32 Nathapur

33 Kuppa

Maharashtra Agricultural Competitiveness Project

Six Monthly Status of Environment Management : Summary Report

Sr.

No. Activity

Status upto Dec. 2012 Status upto April 2013

Phase I Phase II Phase I Phase II

1 Integrated Pest and Nutrient Management

1 (i) On farm demonstrations

Rabbi 2011-12: Undertaken

in 10 all districts Phase II had not commenced

Target achieved

Phase II has not

commenced

Kharip 2012: Undertaken in

all 10 districts

Undertaken in 04 districts

(Nagpur, Chandrapur, Wardha

& Usmanabad)

Undertaken in 04 districts

Rabbi 2012-13:

Nil (Target achieved)

In progress 07 districts (Beed,

Bhandara, Gadchiroli, Gondia,

Latur, Nanded, Solapur) Undertaken in 07 districts

1 (ii) IPM & INM Data Collection

Format

Received for Rabbi Season

2011-12 and from 05 districts

for Kharip Season 2012

Received from 02 districts for

Kharip Season 2012

Received from balance 05

districts for Kharip Season

2012

Received from 04 districts

for Kharip Season 2012 and

07 districts for Rabbi 2012-

13

1

(iii) Expenditure

Advance Released (Rs. lakhs) 16.10 8.86 Target achieved Nil

Booked Expenditure (Rs. lakhs) 7.35 2.31 15.77 3.11

2 APMC Civil Works

Works in progress 11 Selection of market is

complete; civil works yet to

commence.

17 Selection of market is

complete; civil works yet to

commence.

EMP Submitted by Contractors 7 16

EMP Checklist Submitted by

MFE 7 13

Sr.

No. Activity

Status upto Dec. 2012 Status upto April 2013

Phase I Phase II Phase I Phase II

3 Environment Management Action Plans for RHs

3(i) Inhouse 11 9 11 9

3(ii) Through SP

Appointment of SP in progress

Package 1, 4 & 5 10 15 Package 1 : 11

Package 3 4 2 (02 RHs dropped) Package 2 : 13

Package 6 2 3

4 Training / Workshop/Orientation

IESA Dissemination Workshops 10 5 Target achieved Target achieved

IPM/INM 1 1 Nil 2

RH 3 Nil Nil 2

APMC 3 Nil 1 1

FCSC Nil Nil 1 Nil

5 Field Visits

APMC 5 Nil 6 23

RH 44 32 51 43

LSM 2 Nil 3 3

IPM & INM Demonstrations 4 Nil 5 2