agriculture technology management agency atma

1. National Post Graduate College, Barahalganj, Gorakhpur
PRESENTED TO
GROUP - 05
PRESENTED BY
DR.KHUSBOO RAJ
Decentralized Extension
ATMA Model

2. Introduction
NATP’s(National Agriculture Technology Project)
The purpose of NATP’s Innovations in Technology Dissemination Component is to pilot
test new organizational arrangements and operational procedures – not merely
strengthen the existing extension system.
Key concept are
1.Decentralize decision
2. Increase farmer input into programme planning and resource allocation
3. Increase programme coordination and integration

3. What is ATMA ?
•ATMA is a society of key stakeholders involved in agricultural activities for sustainable
agricultural development in the district.
•It is a focal point for integrating Research and Extension activities and decentralising day to
day management of the public Agricultural Technology System(ATS).
•It is a registered society responsible for technology dissemination at the district level.

4. Why ATMA ?
The ATMA at district level would be increasingly responsible for all the technology
dissemination activities at the district level. It would have linkage with all the line
departments, research organizations, non-governmental organizations and agencies
associated with agricultural development in the district.
Each Research- Extension(R-E) unit would retain its institutional identity and affiliation
but programs and procedures concerning district-wise R-E activities would be determined
by ATMA Governing Board to be implemented by its Management Committee(MC).

5. Objectives Of ATMA
The objectives of ATMA are :
1.To strengthen research – extension – farmer linkages.
2.To provide an effective mechanism for co-ordination and management of
activities of different agencies involved in technology adaption / validation and
dissemination at the district level and below.
3.To increase the quality and type of technologies being disseminated.
4.To move towards shared ownership of the agricultural technology system by key
shareholders.
5.To develop new partnerships with the private institutions including NGOs.

6. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF ATMA
(Source : http://atmauna.org/orstructure.html)

7. Roles and Responsibilities of ATMA
ATMA is be supported by
1. Governing Board(GB)
2. Management Committee(MC)
The Governing Board is a policy making body and provide guidance as well as review
the progress and functioning of the ATMA.
The Management Committee would be responsible for planning and executing the
day-to-day activities of ATMA.

8. Key functions of ATMA Governing Board
1.Review and approve Strategic Research and Extension Plan (SREP) and annual work
plans.
2.Receive and review annual reports presented by the participating units, providing
feedback and direction to them as needed, for various research and extension activities
being carried out within the district.
3.Receive and allocate project funds to carry out priority research, extension and related
activities within the district.
4.Facilitate the greater involvement of private sector and firms and organizations in
providing inputs, technical support, agro-processing and marketing services to farmers.
5.Encourage agriculture lending institutions to increase the availability of capital to
resource poor and marginal farmers and women farmers.

9. Key Functions of Management Committee (MC)
1.Carryout periodic Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRAs) to identify the problems and
constraints faced by different socio-economic groups and farmers within the district.
2.Prepare an integrated, strategic Research and Extension Plan (SREP) for the district .
3.Prepare annual work plans that would be submitted to the ATMA Governing Board for
review, possible modification and approval.
4.Maintain appropriate project accounts for submission to Technology Dissemination Unit
(TDU) for audit purposes.
5.Coordinate the execution of these annual work plans through participant line
departments, ZRSs, KVKs,NGOs, FIGs /FOs and allied institutions, including private sector
firms.

10. Funding Mechanism
ATMA will have operational flexibility in use of project funding. They will be expected to
adapt plan activities at the district level in consultation with the participating entries as
necessary in response to unfolding events.
The ATMA Management Committee will be authorized to release project funds onwards to
the public / private partners in the agreed activities included in the framework of the
district extension plan and will maintain separate accounts / sub accounts partner-wise and
activity-wise.

11. ATMA cost includes:
•Establishment of ATMA Office at District Level
•Agril. Department and other line departments
•Strengthening of SAU(State Agriculture University), KVK / NGO KVK
•Strengthening of Zonal Research Stations
•Establishment of FIAC (Farm information and advisory centre) at Block Level

12. STRATEGY
The objectives of the scheme shall be met through strengthened institutional arrangements
and dedicated manpower at State, District, Block & Village level through the institutional
mechanism as detailed below.
State Level:
The State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) set up under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)
is the apex body to approve State Extension Work Plan (SEWP) which will form a part of the
State Agriculture Plan (SAP).
The SLSC will be supported by the Inter Departmental Working Group (IDWG). IDWG is
responsible for day-to-day coordination and management of the Scheme activities within the
State.

13. District Level:
ATMA is an autonomous institution set up at district level to ensure delivery of extension
services to farmers. ATMA Governing Board(GB) is the apex body of ATMA which provides
overall policy direction.
ATMA GB will be assisted by the District ATMA Cell comprising PD(Project Director) ATMA,
Dy. PDs and Staff in the discharge of its functions.
ATMA Management Committee is the executive body looking after implementation of the
scheme. District Farmers Advisory Committee is a body to provide farmer's feedback for
district level planning and implementation.

14. Block Level:
At the Block level, two bodies viz. Block Technology Team (BTT) (a team comprising
officers of agriculture and all line departments within the block) and Block Farmers
Advisory Committee (BFAC) (a group exclusively consisting of farmers of the block) shall
continue to function jointly (with the latter providing farmers' feedback and input).
BFACs shall represent Farmer Interest Groups (FIGs) / FOs existing within the block on
rotation basis to advise the arr. The Block ATMA Cell consisting of these two bodies, Block
Technology Manager and Subject Matter Specialists will provide extension support within
the Block, through preparation and execution of Block Action Plans (BAPs).

15. Village Level:
The Farmer Friend (FF) will serve as a vital link between extension system and farmers at
village level (one for every two villages). The FF will be available in the village to advise on
agriculture and allied activities.
The FF will mobilize farmers' groups and facilitate dissemination of information to such
groups, individual farmers and farm women directly through one to one interaction
individually or in groups and also by accessing information / services on behalf of farmers
as per need through Common Service Centers (CSC) / Kisan Call Centers (KCC).

16. Conclusion
The results demonstrate that there has been improvement in the extension system and
farmers have taken keen initiatives in the development process leading to their
empowerment. The mind-set of the officials changed considerably and they
contributed jointly for the success of the project.
Earlier disjointed extension system has taken the shape of integrated system and many
new enterprises have been included in the farming system.