SUPPORT TO STATE EXTENSION PROGRAMMES FOR EXTENSION REFORMS, COMMONLY KNOWN AS AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (ATMA)
INTRODUCTION
Extension Reforms in India were pilot tested in 28 Districts of 7 States under Innovative Technology Dissemination (ITD) component of World Bank funded National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP) during the period from November, 1998 to April, 2005. This successful experiment served as a basis to launch the Scheme “Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms” in its first phase since 2005-06. The Scheme was later up-scaled to 252 districts during the 10th Plan.
The resolution made by the National Development Council (NDC) in the year 2007 highlighted the need for revamping & strengthening the extension system to provide for improving the skill levels of the farming community and harnessing the potential of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in villages.
The National Policy for Farmers, 2007 (NPF) envisaged support to State Governments for strengthening the extension machinery through re-training and retooling of existing extension personnel. The NPF also stressed on promoting farmer-to-farmer learning by setting-up Farm Schools in the fields of selected farmers who could lead by example.
On the basis of experience gained during the implementation of the Extension Reforms scheme from 2005 to 2009 and after consulting the State Governments, the Government of India introduced the Modified Extension Reforms Scheme in 2010 with the objective of strengthening the extension machinery and utilizing it for synergizing the interventions under these schemes under the umbrella of Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA). The new modified scheme provides provision for manpower deployment at the State, District and Block level. By this time, Agricultural Technology, including the adoption/promotion of critical inputs, and improved agronomic practices were being disseminated under 17 different schemes of the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation.
In 2014, the different schemes of DAC were amalgamated into 4 sub-mission under the umbrella of National Mission on Agricultural Extension and Technology (NMAET). As a result of this, ATMA was put as Central Sponsored Scheme under Sub-Mission on Agricultural Extension (SMAE), in this new mission mode.
Thus, NMAET contains the following Sub-mission:
(i) Sub Mission on Agricultural Extension (SMAE)
(ii) Sub-Mission on Seed and Planting Material (SMSP)
(iii) Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)
(iv) Sub-Mission on Plant Protection and Plant Quarantine (SMPP)
The aim of the Mission is to restructure & strengthen agricultural extension to enable delivery of appropriate technology and improved agronomic practices to the farmers. This is envisaged to be achieved by a judicious mix of extensive physical outreach & interactive methods of information dissemination, use of ICT, popularization of modern and appropriate technologies, capacity building and institution strengthening to promote mechanisation, availability of quality seeds, plant protection etc. and encourage the aggregation of farmers into Interest Groups (FIGs) to form Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).
While four separate Sub-Missions are included in NMAET for administrative convenience, on the ground these are inextricably linked to each other. The common threads running across all 4 Sub-Missions are Extension & Technology.
BROAD FEATURES OF THE SCHEME
The following Committees shall be set up at various levels
State Level:
(i) Inter- Departmental Working Group (IDWG)
(ii) SAMETI Executive Committee
(iii) State Farmers Advisory Committee (SFAC)
District Level:
(i) ATMA Governing Board
(ii) ATMA Management Committee
(iii) District Farmers Advisory Committee (DFAC)
Block Level:
(i) Block Technology Team (BTT)
(ii) Block Farmers Advisory Committee (BFAC)
STRATEGY
State Level:
i. The State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) set up under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) is the apex body to approve State Extension Work Plan (SEWP) which will form a part of the State Agriculture Plan (SAP).
ii. The SLSC will be supported by the Inter Departmental Working Group (IDWG) which is responsible for day-to-day coordination and management of the Scheme activities within the State.
iii. The State Nodal Cell (SNC), consisting of State Nodal officer, State Coordinator, State Gender Coordinator and supporting staff will ensure timely receipt of District Agriculture Action Plans (DAAPs), formulation of State Extension Work Plan (SEWP) duly incorporating farmers’ feedback obtained through State Farmer Advisory Committee (SFAC) and its approval by the SLSC. The SNC will then convey the approval and monitor implementation of these work plans by State Agricultural Management & Extension Training Institutes (SAMETIs) and ATMAs. The SAMETIs will draw-up and execute an Annual Training Calendar for capacity building of the Extension Functionaries in the State.
District Level:
ATMA is an autonomous institution set up at district level to ensure delivery of extension services to farmers. ATMA Governing Board is the apex body of ATMA which provides overall policy direction. ATMA Management Committee is the executive body looking after implementation of the scheme. District Farmers Advisory Committee is a body to provide farmers’ feedback for district level planning and implementation. With dedicated staff provided for the ATMA, it will continue to be the district level nodal agency responsible for overall management of agriculture extension system within the district, including preparation of Strategic Research and Extension Plan (SREP).
Block Level:
The Block ATMA Cell consisting of Block Technology Team (BTT) (a team comprising officers of agriculture and other allied departments within the block) and Block Farmers’ Advisory Committee (BFAC) (a group exclusively consisting of selected farmers of the block) will prepare the Block Action Plan (BAP) and provide necessary extension support within the Block in its execution.
Village Level:
i. The Farmer Friend (FF) will serve as a vital link between extension system and farmers at village level (one for every two villages).
ii. Agri-entrepreneurs, Diploma holders in Agricultural Extension Services for Input Dealers (DAESI), Input Dealers and extension workers in non-governmental sector will supplement the efforts of extension functionaries.
iii. Commodity Interest Groups (CIGs), Farmer Interest Groups (FIGs) and Food Security Groups (FSGs) will serve as a nodal point for information & technology dissemination among its members.
iv. Farm Schools will serve as a mechanism for farmer-to-farmer extension at every Block.
MAIN ACTIVITIES TAKEN UP UNDER THE SCHEME
I. State level
i. Infrastructure Support – Upgrading of State level training institutions such as SAMETI
ii. Human Resource Development (HRD) – Training of Extension Functionaries
iii. Other Activities – Agri-Exhibitions, Regional Fairs, Krishi Expos etc.
II. District level
i. Farmer Oriented Activities – Training of farmers, organizing demonstrations, Exposure visit etc.
ii. Farm Information Dissemination – District level exhibitions, low cost publication, leaflets etc.
iii. Research-Extension-Farmer (R-E-F) Linkages – Farmer Scientist Interactions, Designate expert support from KVK/SAU etc.
iv. Innovative Technology Dissemination activities – Display Boards, Pico Projectors, Hand Held Devices etc.
