Governance in Agricultural Extension - Innovations and Issues Dr. P. Chandra Shekara, Director (Agri.Extn.) National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management [MANAGE], Hyderabad Dr. P. Chandra Shekara, Director (Agri.Extn.) National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management [MANAGE], Hyderabad 1

National Mission on Agricultural Extension and Technology [NMAET]  Implemented in 12 th plan  Four Sub Missions - Sub Mission on Agricultural Extension [SAME] - Sub Mission on Seed and Planting material [SMSP] - Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization [SMAM] - Sub Mission on Plant Protection and Plant quarantine [SMPP]  Extension and Technology are blended through Sub Missions under NMAET. 2

Extension Reforms – Key Guiding Principles  New institutional arrangements – Decentralized decision making.  Convergence of line departments – Gap filling mode.  Multi agency extension strategies – Encourage private sector (minimum 10% allocation).  Broad-based extension delivery (FSA).  Group approach to extension – CIGs.  Gender concerns-Minimum 30% allocation.  Sustainability of extension services – Minimum 10% beneficiary contribution.  Bottom-up planning.  Convergence of programmes. 3

Agri-Entrepreneurs Block Technology Team District Training Centre, KVK & ZRS SAMETI&SAU/ICAR Inst.. State Farmers Advisory committee Farm Schools Block Farmers Advisory Committee District Farmers Advisory Comittee CIGs,FIGs, FARMERS/FARM WOMEN Block ATMA Cell Farmer Friend State Nodal Cell ATMA (GB & MC) DAC,MoA, GoI MANAGE/EEIs State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) Inter Departmental Working Group (IDWG) FUNDFLOWFUNDFLOW WORKPLANWORKPLAN 4

Issues  Quality of SREPs  Convergence among Public-Public and Public-Private Programmes  R-E-F-M - Linkages  Active participation of Farmers Advisory Committees 5

 Launched on 9 th April 2002  Professionalizing Agricultural Extension  Self employment opportunity for qualified Agriculture professionals  Two months free residential training on Agri-Entrepreneurship  One year handholding support  Start-up loan up to Rs.20 lakhs  36-44% credit linked back-ended composite subsidy  Training and handholding through 108 Nodal Training Institutes  41, 486 were trained.  16,605 Established Agri-ventures.  32 Categories of activities. Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres Scheme 6

Sl. No. Name of the ActivityNo. of Agriventures Established 1Agri-Clinics2,458 2Agri-Clinics and Agribusiness Centres6,069 3Agro-Eco Tourism10 4Animal Feed Unit44 5Bio-fertilizer production and Marketing98 6Contract Farming55 7Cultivation of Medicinal Plants111 8Direct Marketing168 9Farm Machinery Unit479 10Fisheries Development295 Agro-ventures Established ( ) 7

Sl. No. Name of the ActivityNo. of Agriventures Established 11Floriculture95 12Horticulture Clinic125 13Landscape + Nursery109 14Nursery413 15Organic Farming85 16Pesticides Production and Marketing34 17Post Harvest Management + Value addition235 18Fisheries Clinic14 19Seed Processing and & Agri-business312 20Soil Testing Laboratory Tissue culture unit28 8

Sl. No. Name of the ActivityNo. of Agri ventures Established 22Vegetable production & Marketing158 23Vermi Composting / Organic manure473 24Veterinary Clinics823 25Crop production187 26Dairy/Poultry/Piggery/Goat etc.,3,361 27Rural Godowns46 28Production & Marketing of Bio-Control Agents14 29Agriculture Journalism16 30Sericulture42 31Mushroom Cultivation72 32Apiary76 Total16,605 9

 MAS started in 2006, is an Agri-services and training centre on wheels moving from village to village equipped with Audio-visual Aids such as Projector, Screen, Laptop, Electronic Board and CDs on best farm practices.  Offers Agri-inputs and consultancy services at the door steps of the farmer.  Extension services – Imparts training in the bus itself at the village on ATMA activities and other Government programmes.  Provides on farm services to farmers such as Soil testing.  Plans to replicate the model in Neighbouring States.  Farmer covered – 46,850 in 26 districts of Jharkhand and Bihar States.  Direct Employment to 11 persons.  Annual turnover Rs.35 lakhs. Mr. Vijay Bharat, Post Graduate in Agriculture Founder of “Mobile Agricultural School (MAS)” Ranchi, Jharkhand Ph: , 10

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Impact  Increase in yield -17.4%  Increase in income %  Extension coverage - 38 Villages per Agripreneur  Employment created - 6 per Agri-venture 18

 42% of the trained candidates have established Agri- ventures.  10% of the established Agripreneurs obtained loan.  5% of the established Agripreneurs obtained subsidy.  Poor linkages with ATMA.  Lack of Agripreneurship Component in Agriculture education. Issues 19

 Objective is to transform Input Dealers into Para-Extension Workers.  Study material in local language.  48 Contact classes and field visits on Market holidays at District level spread over an year.  Self financed program - Course fee of Rs.20,000/- per candidate.  Some states meeting a part of course fee.  So far 3,346 Input Dealers were trained across the country.  Conducted 3 rd Party evaluation - Outcome very encouraging.  Refresher Programs started. Diploma in Agricultural Extension Services for Input Dealers (DAESI) 20

 DAESI programme is ‘very relevant for 52% of input dealers and ‘relevant’ for 48% to their profession.  Increase in confidence level in post DAESI years as rated as “high” by 73%“ very high” by 4% and “moderate” by 23%  Agriculture Department officials (90%) expressed that the DAESI trained Agri-input dealers are actively participating in providing extension services to farmers.  Customer base for 81% of DAESI trained input dealers increased in post DAESI years.  Business income enhanced for 81% of the input dealers.  60% of the farmers satisfied with the advices given by the DAESI trained input dealers.  Average number of villages and farmers covered per retail Agri- input dealer is 38 and Third Party Evaluation of DAESI 21

Issues  Self financing of the programme  Utilization of DAESI trained Input Dealers in Extension  Business interest V/s Business Ethics 22

Strengthening Agricultural Extension  Shifting focus from means to ends  Shifting focus from production to farmer.  1.25 lakh Common Service Centres and 1.55 lakh Post offices as Extension Delivery Points.  Certified Crop Advisors  Vocationalization of Agriculture  Social security to farmers  Accountability - Farmers Charter 23

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