(a) the details of the Agricultural Technology Information Centres set up in Tamil Nadu;
(b) the details of expenditure incurred by the Government for the above said purpose during the last two years; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to provide training to farmers about the new technology through these Agricultural Technology Information Centres?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
(SHRI S.S. AHLUWALIA)
(a) & (b): There are two Agricultural Technology Information Centres (ATICs) functioning in Tamil Nadu one at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Coimbatore(TNAU Coimbatore) and another at Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Chennai (TANUVAS Chennai).
ATICs were established based on one time grant to TNAU Coimbatore and TANUVAS Chennai. Since the termination of National Agricultural Technology Programme (NATP) funding in 2003-04, the ICAR has not provided any financial assistance to these ATICs.
(c) As single window delivery system, ATICs proved instrumental in attracting farmers to get desired technology information, technology services and technology inputs. ATICs do not conduct directly any training programmes. However based on the farmers requirement, they facilitate for conducting required training programmes through their respective Host Organization.
During the year 2015-16, 4.99 lakh farmers visited the ATICs for the technological solutions during the year. Technological information was provided to about 1.31 lakh farmers both through print and electronic media. Likewise, 2.67 lakh farmers got quality technological inputs namely; 48550.87 quintal seeds, 22.99 lakh planting material, 1984 livestock, 0.27 lakh poultry birds and 1076.03 quintal bio-products through ATICs. Besides, 7.28 lakh farmers were benefited by technological services like, soil & water testing, plant diagnostics, veterinary advisory services, soil health cards etc.
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