Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms’ popularly known as Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Scheme (TRAINING TO FARMERS)

• A Centrally Sponsored Scheme on ‘Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms’ popularly known as Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Scheme is under implementation in 684 districts of 28 States & 5 UTs of the country. The scheme promotes decentralized farmer-friendly extension system in the country with an objective to support State Government’s efforts to revitalize the extension system  and making available the latest agricultural technologies and Good Agricultural Practices in different thematic areas of agriculture and allied areas to farmers. The extension activities under ATMA include Farmers Training, Demonstrations, Exposure Visits, Kisan Melas, Mobilization of Farmers Groups and organizing Farm Schools, etc. During the year, 2018-19 and current year 2019-20 (till date), 19.18 lakh and 7.73 lakh farmers respectively availed training benefits under ATMA.

• Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) with its network of 716 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) has mandate of technology assessment, demonstration and capacity development of farmers. KVKs are imparting training to farmers for getting higher agricultural production and income. During the year 2018-19, 15.75 lakh farmers were trained by KVKs in various thematic areas.

• Four Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institutes (FMTTIs) located at Budni (MP), Hissar (Haryana), Ananthapur (AP) and Biswanath Chariali (Assam) are engaged in imparting training to various categories of trainees including farmers, in the field of Farm Mechanization. During the year 2018-19 and 2019-20 (till date), these Institutes have trained 9905 and 5723 candidates respectively. 

• National Food Security Mission (NFSM) is being implemented in identified districts of 28 States and 2 UTs viz. Ladakh and J&K of the country to increase the production and productivity of rice, wheat, pulses, coarse cereals and nutri cereals (millets) through area expansion and productivity enhancement. During the year 2018-19 and 2019-20 (till date), 3,42,188 and 5, 11, 530 numbers of farmers have been trained respectively.

• Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme is being implemented for holistic growth of the horticulture sector covering fruits, vegetables, root and tuber crops, mushrooms, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, coconut, cashew, cocoa and bamboo.  All States and UTs are covered under MIDH. During the 2018-19  and  2019-20  (till  date),  1,91,086  and  1942  number  of  farmers  have  been  trained respectively.

• In addition to the above, training of farmers is an inbuilt component under Sub-Mission on Plan Protection & Plant Quarantine. Farmer Field Schools are conducted for promoting Integrated Pest Management among farmers. During the year 2018-19 and 2019-20 (till date), 712 & 351 FFSs have been organized under the scheme, respectively.

• Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization was launched in 2014-15 with the objectives to increase the reach of Farm Mechanization to Small and Marginal farmers and the regions where availability of farm power is low. During the year 2018-19 and the current year i.e. 2019-20 (till date), 3,85,300 & 1,47,503 number of agricultural machineries have been distributed respectively and 5,189 & 2,300 custom hiring centres have been established respectively.

• A new Central Sector Scheme is being implemented on promotion of agricultural mechanization for in-situ-management of   Crop    Residue in States of Haryana, Punjab, UP and NCT of Delhi (CRM) for the period from 2018-19 to 2019-20. An amount of Rs. 575.18 crore was released in 2018-19 and Rs. 594.14 crore during 2019-20 (till date) to Haryana, Punjab, UP and NCT of Delhi for stopping stubble burning.

• For modernizing agriculture system, following initiatives have been taken by Government –

• The National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture was launched to use Information & Communication Technology for timely access to agriculture related information for the farmers. Kisan Suvidha mobile application facilitates dissemination of information to farmers on the critical parameters viz., Weather; Market Prices; Plant Protection; input Dealers (Seed, Pesticide, Fertilizer) Farm Machinery; Soil Health Card; Cold Storages & Godowns, Veterinary Centres and Diagnostic Labs. Crop related advisories are sent to the registered farmers through SMSs on mKishan Portal (www.mkisan.gov.in). The Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) has compiled more than 100 mobile apps developed by ICAR, State Agricultural Universities and Krishi Vigyan Kendras in the areas of crops, horticulture, veterinary, dairy, poultry, fisheries, natural resources management and integrated subjects.

• The National Agriculture Market scheme (e-NAM) facilitates farmers with remunerative prices for their produce through a system of competitive and transparent electronic online trading platform. Per Drop More Crop component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana focuses on water use efficiency at farm level through precision/micro irrigation technologies viz., Drip and Sprinkler irrigation. Implementation of Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure, sub-scheme of Integrated Scheme of Agricultural Marketing, in order to improve/create scientific storage capacity for storing farm produce, processed farm produce and to reduce post-harvest storage loss. Soil Health Card Scheme assists  State Governments in providing Soil Health Cards to all farmers across the country which provides information to the farmers on nutrient status of their soil along with recommendations on appropriate dosage of nutrients to be applied for improving crop productivity and soil fertility.

• Use of space technology for various programmes/areas such as Forecasting Agricultural Output using Space, Agro-meteorology and Land-based Observations project, Coordinated programme on Horticulture Assessment and Management using geo-informatics project, National Agricultural Drought Assessment and Monitoring System, Rice-fallow Area Mapping and Intensification, geo tagging of infrastructure and assets created under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana and Crop Insurance.

• The Government has set up 716 Krishi Vigyan Kendras and 684 Agricultural Technology Management Agencies at district level for dissemination of technologies among farm community. In addition, farmers are provided information through Focused Publicity Campaigns, Kisan Call Centres, Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres of entrepreneurs, Agri Fairs and exhibitions, Kisan SMS Portal, etc.

• Under Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization, in order to increase the availability of machines to farmers on rental basis, Custom Hiring Centres, Hi-tech hubs, Farm Machinery Banks have been established. A Multi lingual Mobile App “CHC- Farm Machinery” has been launched which encompasses a rental process while focusing on quality, dependability and timely delivery of the services to the farmers.

• Development and availability of quality seeds has been increased from 380.30 lakhs Qtls. to 431.01 lakhs Qtls during 2016-17 to 2019-20. More than 1100 new seed varieties, which include climate resilient varieties, have been released and notified during 2014-2019 out of which 35 are Bio-fortified.

(b)  There are hostel facilities for farmers in 495 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) of ICAR located at Block/District level.