Krishi Vistar

1. The Scheme is implemented through the institutional mechanism set up at State, District, Block and Village level as detailed below:

i. At 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 is supported by the Inter Departmental Working Group (IDWG) which is responsible for day-to-day coordination and management of the Scheme activities within the State. The State Nodal Cell (SNC), consisting of State Nodal officer, State Coordinator, State Gender Coordinator and supporting staff ensure timely receipt of District Agriculture Action Plans (DAAPs), formulation of State Extension Work Plan (SEWP) duly incorporating farmers’ feedback obtained through State Farmer Advisory Committee (SFAC) and its approval by the SLSC. The SNC convey the approval and monitor implementation of these work plans by State Agricultural Management & Extension Training Institutes (SAMETIs) and ATMAs.

ii. At District level:
An autonomous institution viz. Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) set up at district level is responsible to ensure delivery of extension services to farmers. ATMA Governing Board is the apex body of ATMA which provides overall policy directions. ATMA Management Committee is the executive body looking after implementation of the approved extension activities under the scheme. District Farmers Advisory Committee is an exclusive body of farmers to provide farmers’ feedback to policy makers and district administration for district level planning and implementation. ATMA is the district level nodal agency responsible for overall management of agriculture extension system within the district, including preparation of Strategic Research and Extension Plan (SREP) and District Agriculture Action Plan (DAAP).

iii. At Block Level:
The Block ATMA Cell consisting of Block Technology Team (BTT) (a team comprising officers of agriculture and other allied departments within the block) and Block Farmers’ Advisory Committee (BFAC) (a group exclusively consisting of selected farmers of the block) prepare the Block Action Plan (BAP) and provide necessary extension support within the Block in its execution.

iv. At village level:
The following mechanism is involved in disseminating information in the villages:
• The Farmer Friend (FF) serves as a vital link between extension system and farmers at village level (one FF for every two villages).
• Agri-entrepreneurs, Diploma holders in Agricultural Extension Services for Input Dealers (DAESI), Input Dealers and extension workers in non-governmental sector supplement the efforts of extension functionaries.
• Commodity Interest Groups (CIGs), Farmer Interest Groups (FIGs) and Food Security Groups (FSGs) serve as a nodal point for    information & technology dissemination among its members.
• Farm Schools set up on the field of progressive/ awardees serve as a mechanism for farmer-to-farmer extension at every Block.

2. Release of funds under ATMA scheme is based on State Extension Work Plans (SEWPs) prepared by the State Governments in consonance with a 5 year perspective Strategic Research & Extension Plan.

3. Allocation of resources for activities related to extension is linked to number of Farm Households and Blocks.

4. At least, 10% of allocation on recurring activities at district level is to be used through non-governmental sector.

5. Extension services through mobile telephone have been given a major thrust.

6. Convergence among farmer centric extension activities of various schemes of DA & FW Sub-Missions through the institution of ATMA is being promoted. Further, convergence between Research & Extension are also moving together in the field as per a joint circular issued by DAC & ICAR.