Lok Sabha Question No. 2532 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-02
Subject: ATMA Scheme
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: SATYA PAL SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2532

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2 ND  AUGUST, 2016

## ATMA SCHEME

2532.  SHRI SATYAPAL SINGH:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has launched the Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) scheme to provide support for extension reforms in the States at gram panchayat level;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  components  incorporated  thereunder  including Farmer's Friend/Kisan Mitra;
- (c) the  details  of  Farmer's  Friend  appointed/proposed  to  be  appointed  under  the  ATMA scheme in the country during the last three years and the current year, State-wise;
- (d) the  details  of  funds  allocated,  released  and  utilised  for  the  purpose  during  the  said period, State-wise including Uttar Pradesh; and
- (e) the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  assist  the  Farmer's  Friend  for extension reforms in the agriculture sector and address the problems/difficulties being faced by them in implementing agricultural works under various schemes?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI PARSHOTTAM  RUPALA)

- (a): The Government has launched 'Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA)' scheme to support for extension reforms in the State during 2005-06.
- (b): Presently the Scheme is under implementation in 652 district of 29 States and 3 UTs in the  country.    Under  the  scheme  grants-in-aid  is  released  to  State  Governments  with  an objective to support their efforts of revitalization of the extension system and making available the latest agricultural technologies in different thematic areas to increase agricultural production through extension activities viz. Farmers Training, Demonstration, Exposure Visits, Kisan Mela, Mobilization  of  Farmers  Groups  and  Setting  up  of  Farm  Schools.    In  order  to  percolate  the benefits of ATMA Scheme down to the farmers for adoption of good agricultural practices, an innovative support is being provided under the Scheme w.e.f. 2010-11 through Farmer Friend (FF)  at  village  level  @  one  FF  per  two  villages.    The  FF  is    serving  as  a  vital  link  between extension workers and farmers at village level.

(c): The State-wise details of Farmer's Friend (FF) identified under the Scheme during last three years and current financial year is given in Annexure-I.

(d): Under  the  Scheme,  Grants-in-aid  is  released  to  State  Governments  through  their respective State Treasuries based on their approved State Extension Work Plan(SEWP).  No component-wise  funds  are  released  to  the  States  by  the  Government  of  India.    State Governments  allocate  funds  (component/activity  wise)  based  on  their  priority  areas  and approved  Work  Plans.    State-wise  details  of  funds  allocated,  released  and  utilized  for implementation  of  ATMA  Scheme  during  the  said  period  including  Uttar  Pradesh  is  given  in Annexure-II. Government of Uttar Pradesh has not yet identified FF under ATMA Scheme.

(e): ATMA Guidelines, 2014 provide for identifying one FF per two villages. Further, as per Guidelines, Farmer Friends are provided with special opportunity for up-gradation of their skills through Trainings, Study Tours and Visits to State Agricultural Universities/other institutes, by utilizing support available under ATMA.  For assisting FF a provision of contingency amount of Rs.6000/- per annum has been made under the Scheme which is shared between the Centre and the State Government on 50:50 basis.

********