Question : AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT AGENCIES

(a) the details of areas in the country where Agricultural Technology Management Agencies (ATMA) have been set up;

(b) whether these agencies have their own buildings, infrastructure and other resources;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether Kisan Salahkar Samitis have been constituted at block and district level;

(e) if so, the details thereof;

(f) whether all the facilities/resources have been provided to these samitis;

(g) if so, the details thereof; and

(h) if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a): Agriculture Technology Management Agencies (ATMAs) have been set up in 588 rural Districts in the entire country except in Meghalaya and 4 UTs namely Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu, Dadar & Nagar Haveli and Chandigarh. State-wise number of ATMAs established in the country is given at Annexure-I.

(b): No, Madam.

(c): Scheme was launched in May, 2005 with an outlay of Rs. 226.07 crore and coverage of 252 districts in the country for 10th plan period. No provision for staff salary infrastructure and civil works, vehicles or subsidy was made under the scheme. The District head of State Department of Agriculture is performing duties of Project Director, ATMA in the respective District in addition to his/ her regular duties.

(d): Kisan Salahkar Samitis (Farmer Advisory Committees) popularly known as FACs have been constituted at Block level in the project districts.

(e): The Farmer Advisory Committee (FAC), a group exclusively of farmers consists of 11-15 members covering different categories of farmers under the given block with due representation to women farmers and weaker sections of the society. Composition and Key functions of FACs may be seen at Annexure-II

(f) & (g): These Samitis (FACs) are provided resources only for implementing programmes and activities like demonstrations, trainings, exposure visits, Kisan Melas etc. These funds are provided as per the approved State Extension Work Plan (SEWP) for the state. Financial assistance under the scheme is provided to the States in the ratio of 90:10(90 being the central share and 10 being the state share). The State Extension Work Plans (SEWPs) are prepared through a bottom- up planning process starting at Block level involving Farmer Advisory Committee (FAC) & Block Technology Team (BTT) and in consonance with training & extension needs emerging from Strategic Research & Extension Plans (SREPs). BTT and FAC are involved in implementation of approved extension activities under the scheme at Block level and below.

(h): Not applicable.