Lok Sabha Question No. 195 (STARRED), answered on 2016-11-29
Subject: Extension Reforms Programme
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: RODMAL NAGAR

O.I.H.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION & FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 195

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 29 TH   NOVEMBER, 2016

## EXTENSION REFORMS PROGRAMME

*195. SHRI NAGAR RODMAL:

Will  the  Minister  of  AGRICULTURE  AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण ½ãâ¨ããè be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has formulated a scheme to support the extension reforms programmes  under  the  Agriculture  Technology  Management  Agency  (ATMA)  scheme  to appoint and train Krishak Mitras (Farmers Friends) and monitor their activities;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State/Union Territory-wise; and
- (c) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  assist  the  farmers  for  extension  reforms programme in agriculture?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण ½ãâ¨ããè

(SHRI RADHA MOHAN SINGH)

- (a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 195    DUE FOR REPLY ON 29 TH   NOVEMBER, 2016.

- (a): Yes, Madam.
- (b):      Government  of  India  has  formulated  a  scheme  to  support  state  extension programme for extension reforms, popularly known as ATMA scheme. 'Farmers Friend' (FF) is one of the components of the scheme.

'Farmer  Friend'  (FF)  component  was  included  in  the  scheme  during  the  year 2010-11  in  order  to  act  as  focal  points  at  village  level.  The  scheme  provides  for identification of one progressive farmer per every two census villages.  The FF  serves as a vital link between Extension Worker and Farmers at village level.

As  per  ATMA  Guidelines,  FF  is  provided  with  special  opportunities  for  up gradation of their skills through Trainings, Study Tours and visits to State Agricultural University / other institutes, by utilizing support available under the Scheme. The duties of  FF  are  at  Annexure  I.  To  meet  the  contingency  expenditure  which  the  FF  incurs towards discharge of his duties, a contingency amount of Rs. 6000 per annum has been provided for under the Scheme to be shared between Centre and State Government on 50:50 basis.

17 States and one UT have identified 1,65,685 FF till now. The State/ UT-wise details of Farmer Friend is given at Annexure-II.

- (c): The Ministry of Agriculture has been implementing various Centrally Sponsored and  Central  Sector  Schemes  to  assist  farmers.  The  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme 'Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms' (ATMA) programme has  been strengthened and rejuvenated during 2010-11 and again during 2014-15 to provide support at State, District and Block levels, enhanced connectivity and mobility at Contd…2/-

-2- various levels and strengthening the mechanism for information dissemination at village level  through  the  institution  of  one  farmer  friend  for  every  two  villages.  Another component of this Mass Media Scheme aims to reach out to farmers (including small and  marginal  farmers)  through  electronic  and  print  media.  The  Kisan  Call  Centres (KCC)  have  also  been  upgraded  in  terms  of  technology,  enhancement  of  seats  and effective  monitoring.    KCCs  also  are  accessed  by  farmers.  ICT  tools  are  being extensively  used  to  reach  out  to  the  farmers.  In  order  to  give  further  fillip  to  ICT  in agricultural extension, pico projectors and hand held devices also have been provided to the extension functionaries. Mobile apps, Short Messaging Services, Farmers portal Apps have also been launched in for the benefit of farmers.

## Annexure-I

## Duties and responsibilities of Farmer Friend

1. Mobilization of farmers / constitution of Farmer Interest Groups.
2. Conducting field demonstrations, Kisan Gosthies and facilitating preparation of Village Research Extension Action Plan
3. Liaison  with  ATM  at  Block  level  for  exchange  of  information  related  to agri. and allied activities at field level
4. Attending meetings of Gram Sabha, maintaining a daily diary of activities
5. Ensuring dissemination of information through multi media
6. Any other work assigned by BTT

## State-wise details of Farmer Friend

| Sl. No.   | States            |   No. of FF identified |
|-----------|-------------------|------------------------|
| 1         | Arunachal Pradesh |                    940 |
| 2         | Assam             |                    337 |
| 3         | A&N Islands       |                    250 |
| 4         | Chhatisgarh       |                   9004 |
| 5         | Gujarat           |                   8506 |
| 6         | Jammu & Kashmir   |                    440 |
| 7         | Jharkhand         |                  14558 |
| 8         | Maharashtra       |                  13279 |
| 9         | Madhya Pradesh    |                  24459 |
| 10        | Meghalaya         |                    658 |
| 11        | Mizoram           |                    357 |
| 12        | Nagaland          |                    650 |
| 13        | Orissa            |                  12468 |
| 14        | Punjab            |                   6185 |
| 15        | Rajasthan         |                  16360 |
| 16        | Sikkim            |                     83 |
| 17        | Tamilnadu         |                   8180 |
| 18        | Uttar Pradesh     |                  48971 |
|           | GRAND TOTAL:      |                 165685 |

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## Annexure-II