ATMA (Agricultural Technology Management Agency

Background of ATMA and Extension Reforms

• Pilot Phase (1998–2005): Extension reforms in India were pilot-tested in 28 districts of 7 states under the Innovations in Technology Dissemination (ITD) component of the World Bank-funded National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP).
• The pilot was very successful → led to the launch of the “Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms” scheme in 2005–06.
• The model aimed at decentralized, demand-driven, farmer-oriented, and participatory agricultural extension.

Institutional Mechanism of Extension Reforms

1. State Level

• Inter-Departmental Working Group (IDWG): Ensures convergence of all departments related to agriculture and allied sectors.
• SAMETI (State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute): Responsible for training and capacity building of extension functionaries.
• SAMETI Executive Committee: Governs and supervises SAMETI’s activities.
• State Farmers Advisory Committee (SFAC): Provides feedback from farmers to state-level extension systems.

2. District Level

• ATMA (Agricultural Technology Management Agency):
  • Apex institution at district level for planning, coordination, and implementation of extension programmes.
  • Prepares Strategic Research and Extension Plan (SREP) and District Agriculture Action Plan (DAAP).
• ATMA Governing Board (GB): Policy-making body at district level.
• ATMA Management Committee (MC): Executive body that implements GB decisions.
• District Farmers Advisory Committee (DFAC): Gives farmers’ feedback and helps in priority setting of extension programmes.

3. Block Level

• Block Technology Team (BTT):
  • Composed of line department officers (Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, etc.).
  • Responsible for preparation of Block Action Plan (BAP).
• Block Farmers Advisory Committee (BFAC):
  • Group of farmers advising BTT on local needs and priorities.
  • Ensures farmers’ participation in extension planning.

4. Village Level

• Farmer Friend (FF):
  • Innovative concept: 1 Farmer Friend for every 2 villages.
  • Acts as a bridge between farmers and extension system.
  • Provides feedback, mobilizes farmers, and helps disseminate information.

Significance of ATMA & Extension Reforms

1. Decentralization – decision-making shifted from state to district and block level.
2. Farmer-centric & participatory – farmer committees at every level.
3. Convergence – integration of line departments (Agri, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, etc.).
4. Flexibility – block-specific and district-specific planning through SREP & BAP.
5. Capacity building – via SAMETI, KVKs, and exposure visits.
6. Innovations – Farmer Friend, farm schools, demonstrations, use of ICT.

Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK)

Origin & Background

• Concept proposed: By Dr. Mohan Singh Mehta Committee (1973) under ICAR.
• First KVK established: 1974 at Puducherry (Pondicherry) under Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.
• Nodal agency: Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
• Number of KVKs: 731+ (as of 2024).
• Funding: 100% funded by ICAR (Govt. of India).

Objectives

1. To demonstrate the latest agricultural technologies on farmers’ fields.
2. To conduct on-farm testing (OFT) of technologies for location-specific adaptability.
3. To organize frontline demonstrations (FLDs) on improved crop varieties, technologies, and practices.
4. To build capacity of farmers, farm women & rural youth through training.
5. To provide training to extension functionaries of line departments.
6. To act as knowledge & resource centres at district level.

Mandates of KVK

1. Technology Assessment → On-Farm Testing (OFT).
2. Technology Demonstration → Frontline Demonstrations (FLDs).
3. Capacity Development → Training of farmers, rural youth, and extension workers.
4. Knowledge Centre → Dissemination of agricultural technologies through ICT, exhibitions, farm schools, etc.

Structure & Functioning

• One KVK per district.
• Works under ICAR – Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI).
• Has multidisciplinary team: Agronomy, Horticulture, Animal Science, Home Science, Extension, Plant Protection, etc.
• Facilities: Farm (20 ha land), training hall, demonstration units, soil testing lab, etc.

Key Programmes

• OFT (On-Farm Testing): To test new technologies under farmers’ conditions.
• FLD (Frontline Demonstration): To showcase latest technologies.
• Vocational Training: For rural youth in agriculture and allied sectors.
• Seed & Planting Material Production: Certified seeds, seedlings, planting materials.
• ICT-based Extension: Kisan Mobile Advisory, apps, portals.
• Women Empowerment Programmes: Nutrition, drudgery reduction tools, SHG training.

ATARI – Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute

Background

• Earlier name: Zonal Project Directorate (ZPD).
• Reorganized & renamed: As ATARI in 2014 by ICAR.
• Nodal Agency: ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research).
• Purpose: To monitor, coordinate, and evaluate the activities of KVKs (Krishi Vigyan Kendras) at the zonal level.

Mandates of ATARI

1. Coordination of KVKs within its jurisdiction (usually a group of states).
2. Monitoring & Evaluation of KVK activities (OFTs, FLDs, trainings, seed production etc.).
3. Capacity Building of KVK staff (scientists & extension personnel).
4. Documentation & Reporting of innovative extension approaches and success stories.
5. Technology Assessment & Refinement through KVK network.
6. Collaboration with State Departments, SAUs, NGOs & Private Sector for technology dissemination.

Structure

• Number of ATARIs: 11 (covering all 731+ KVKs in India).
• Each ATARI has a Director and scientific staff in disciplines like Extension, Agronomy, Horticulture, Animal Science, Social Science etc.
• They function as the zonal coordination units of ICAR.

Functions

• Prepare Annual Action Plans (AAPs) of KVKs.
• Conduct review workshops and monitor KVKs’ performance.
• Evaluate OFTs & FLDs results from KVKs.
• Guide KVKs in entrepreneurship development, seed hub projects, doubling farmers’ income programmes, women empowerment programmes.
• Disseminate best practices & success stories to policy makers and stakeholders.

Location of ATARIs

• There are 11 ATARIs located at various ICAR institutes/SAUs across India (e.g., Ludhiana, Kanpur, Kolkata, Jodhpur, Pune, Bengaluru, Guwahati, Patna, Hyderabad, Jabalpur, etc.).
• Each ATARI covers 5–8 states on average.