Contribution in policy/programme
Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA Scheme)
Support To State Extension Programmes For Extension Reforms
Background - Extension Reforms in India were pilot tested in 28 Districts in 7 States from 1998 to 2005. This successful experiment served as a basis to launch the Scheme “Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms” in the year 2005-06. It was revamped, expanded and strengthened comprehensively in the year 2010. Coverage of the scheme was increased in a phased manner. It is currently operational in 639 districts.
CONVERGENCE under ATMA- Farmers‟ skill trainings and field extension as contained in all 4 Sub Missions of NMAET [Viz. Sub Mission on Agricultural Extension (SMAE), SubMission on Seed and Planting Material (SMSP), Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) and Sub Mission on Plant Protection and Plant Quarantine (SMPP)] will be converged with similar farmer-related activities going on through ATMA.
The main activities of Farm Schools are operationalizing Front Line Demonstrations in one or more crops and/or allied sector activities. These demonstrations are focused on Integrated Crop Management including field preparation, seed treatment, IPM, INM, etc.
National Food Security Mission : Accelerated Pulses Production Programme (A3P)
Department of Agriculture & Cooperation has launched a project entitled "Accelerated Pulses Production Programme" in one million hectares of pulses area under National Food Security Mission with an objective to increase the production and productivity of pulses through demonstration of plant nutrient and plant protection technologies and management practices and to stimulate other farmers in the adjoining area to adopt these technologies.
Convergence of Schemes : There are number of centrally sponsored schemes like Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGREGA) {erstwhile National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGA)}, National 5 Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA) and other watershed development schemes etc which can be dovetailed with A3P. State governments through State departments of agriculture/Panchyati Raj institutions may coordinate this dovetailing so that maximum benefits can be provided to these farmers. Most important component which can be dovetailed for promoting the production and productivity of pulses is the rainwater harvesting through the construction of farm ponds for providing life saving irrigation to pulse crops.
