The Government had launched ‘Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA)’ scheme to support for extension reforms in the State during 2005-06.
Presently the Scheme is under implementation in 652 districts 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.
1,06,618 and 1,12,487 Farmer’s Friend (FF) identified under the scheme respective year 2014-15 and 2015-16
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.
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. This information was given by the Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Shri Parshottam Rupala in Lok Sabha today.
