In this article we will discuss about the top six agricultural development programmes adopted in India. The programmes are: 1. National Agricultural Technology Programme (NATP) 2. National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP) 3. Agricultural Technology Information Center (ATIC) and a Few Others.
1. National Agricultural Technology Programme (NATP):
After the WTO, there is a rapid global change in agricultural trade. There is also an emerging need to radically reform the extension system to meet the above challenges. Therefore, National Agricultural Technology Programme was conceived as a pilot project. It was launched in November, 1998. It was an initiative of Government of India with World Bank assistance.
The overall objective of NATP was to revitalize the agricultural technology generation, assessment, refinement and dissemination systems.
More specifically objectives were:
1. Increase the quality and type of technologies disseminated through:
(a) Location specific technology development
(b) Diversification and intensification of farming systems
2. Use of sustainability enhancing technologies are:
(a) Enable research and extension system to become demand driven and responsible for solving problems of farmers.
(b) Strengthening research -extension-farmers (R-E-F) linkages
(c) Increase financial sustainability of the system
(d) Shared ownership of Agricultural technology system (ATS) by key stakeholders
I. It had three components.
These were as follows:
(a) ICAR organization and management reforms
(b) Expansion of location specific research on production system
(c) Testing of innovations in technology dissemination
II. The Innovation in Technology Dissemination (ITD) component of the project aimed at addressing key constraints in technology generation, validation and dissemination by introducing new institutional models and operational reform process in selected states.
III. Seven states were selected for this pilot project. These were Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Orissa and Punjab. The project was pilot tested in four districts in each of the above states.
IV. Under NATP, some institutional innovations were made under ITD in each project district.
These were as follows:
(a) Establishment of decentralized district level autonomous institutions named ATMA (Agricultural Technology Management Agency)
(b) Establishing FLAC (Farm Information and Advisory Centre) at block level.
(c) Establishment of state level agricultural extension management training institutions named SAMETI (State Agricultural Extension Management and Training Institutes).
(d) Evolution of state level coordination and policy making body named IDWG (Inter Departmental Working Group).
V. With an objective to address the expanding role of extension, certain operational reforms processes were initiated in the project districts like strategic planning, bottom up planning, promotion of farmer interest group and farmers organization, farming system approach, decentralized decision making, farmer participation research, market led production, sequential extension interventions, cost and resource sharing, IT and communication support, public private partnership, techno managerial focus, team approach and farmers focused and farmer accountable extension.
a. Introduction of ATMA model by entire country as an extension reform process.
b. Establishment of SAMETI by various states.
c. Empowerment of farming community.
d. Formation of Farmers Interest Groups and Farmers Organisations at different states.
e. Introduction of Public- Private Partnership in extension system.
f. Introducing group approach of extension.
g. Introduction of bottom up planning.
h. Under NATP extension system was found to be cost effective and sustainable.
i. Introduced Strategic Research and Extension Plan (SREP) at district levels.
2. National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP):
NAIP has been envisaged for facilitating accelerated and sustainable transformation of agriculture in support of poverty alleviation and income generation through technological innovations by the public research organizations in partnership with farmer’s group, the private sector, the civil society organizations and other stakeholders.
The total budget being allocated under this project is approximately Rs.1150 crores (US$250 million) out of which the World Bank would fund Rs. 920 crores (US$200 million) as credit and the government of India would fund Rs.230 crores (US$50 million). The project is for 6 years (July, 2006 to June, 2012).
I. To give agricultural research and technology development system an explicit development and business perspective through innovative models. In other words, the agricultural research system should be able to support agriculture as business venture and also as a means of security for livelihood of the rural Indian while maintaining excellence in science.
II. To make the national agricultural research system a pluralistic system where every stakeholder have a role to play.
III. Create a well-defined partnership grouped with clear common goals and understanding of sharing responsibilities and benefits.
IV. Develop well tested models for application of agricultural research and technology for profitability of farming, income generation and poverty alleviation.
NAIP is to function through the following four components:
i. ICAR as the catalyzing agent for the management of change in the Indian National Agricultural Research System and would involve:
(a) Information, communication and dissemination systems which support interactions and dialogue among the stakeholders
(b) Capacity building
(c) Business planning and development for agricultural technologies and knowledge
(d) Policy analysis including that for gender concerns, visioning and market intelligence analysis for supporting the policy makers on one hand and the farmer on other hand.
ii. Research on production to consumption system (PCS) and would involve:
(a) The PCS is a system which involves the entire set of agencies, materials, activities, technologies and services and instructions involved from the stage of inputs to harvesting of particular commodity and transforming it into a usable product and storing/marketing the final product. This entails a field to plate system.
(b) Rural income augmentation and employment generation through post-harvest processing and value addition, building of rural agro-industries, export promotion and import substitution will receive thrust,
(c) Research for technology development and adoption needed for each link within a PCS will be addressed by each selected consortium.
iii. Research on Sustainable Rural Livelihood Security (SRLS):
In this area emphasis to be given are- on farm research, for improving and developing to most suitable faming system and allied off farm activities, in the less favorable environments, regions and groups so that the livelihood of rural poor improves through food, nutrition employment and income.
iv. Basic and Strategic Research in the Frontier Areas of Agricultural Sciences (BSR):
Area of activities would be:
(a) Genetic enhancement of plants
(b) Genetic enhancement of animals
(c) Natural resources management and IPM
(d) Novel value addition, processing and storage methods for agricultural products and byproducts
(e) Development of state of the art animal disease surveillance and control system
v. One hundred fifty disadvantaged districts have been identified by the Planning Commission covering 27 States and 13 agro-climatic zones under NAIP.
vi. Formation of consortia to carry out the identified task.
3. Agricultural Technology Information Center (ATIC):
The primary goal of agricultural extension is to assist farming families in adapting their production and marketing strategies to rapidly changing social, political and economic conditions so that they can, in their long term, shape their lives according to their personal preferences and those of the community. The task of extension is to improve interactions with the Agriculture Knowledge System (AKS) so that farmers have optimum access to any information that could help them enhance their economic and social situation.
To attain these objectives, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research initiated Transfer of Technology (TOT) projects through various means like Krishi Vigyan Kendras, and Institute-Village Linkage Programme centers. Though the aforesaid TOT projects and their vast mechanisms are made to help and serve the farming community, some of the important needs of the farmers are not yet met.
The five important needs of the farmers are:
i. Awareness of and motivation to use improved technologies / management practices.
ii. Advice on appropriate farm planning and resource management.
iii. Practical farming skills relevant to new technologies / management practices.
iv. Production inputs and credits and
v. Post-harvest and marketing services to farmers to get a good price in a competitive global agriculture.
Interestingly these needs of the farmers irrespective of their locations and farming practices are not realized by the existing transfer of technology projects. Hence a new and innovative transfer of technology mechanism named, Agricultural Technology Information Centre (ATIC) has been conceived and put into practice since 1998-99 under National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP) sponsored by World Bank and implemented through 40 ICAR Institutes and State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) located in various parts of the country.
a. To provide a single window delivery system for the products and species available from an institution to the farmers and other interested groups as a process of innovativeness in technology dissemination at the institute level;
b. To facilitate direct access to the farmers to the institutional resources available in terms of technology, advice, products, etc., for reducing dissemination losses; and to provide mechanism for feedback from the users to the institute.
i. ATIC is intended to provide all basic needs of the farmers through a single window service. This unique system not only serves the farmers but also other stakeholders of the farming practices to provide solution to their location specific problems and make available all the required technological information together with technology inputs and products for testing and use by them.
ii. The rationale behind the establishment of ATIC has been:
(a) Providing diagnostic services for soil testing, plant and livestock health;
(b) Supplying research products such as seeds and other planting material, poultry strains, livestock breeds, fish seed, processed products, etc., emerging from the institution for testing and adaptation by various clientele;
(c) Disseminating information through published literature and communication materials as well as audio-visual aids; and
(d) Providing an opportunity to the institutes / SAUs to have resource generation through the sale of their technologies.
iii. The inbuilt mechanism of ATIC ensures:
(a) Availability and accessibility of new technologies
(b) Relevance of new technologies
(c) Responsiveness of new technologies to the needs of different categories of farmers
(d) Varied requirements for different categories of farmers and
(e) Sustainability of such unit within overall institutional framework.
No details study is made to evaluate the achievements of ATIC. But some tangible achievements are observed in case of ATIC.
These are:
i. All recent technologies are now available to farmers through single window system at ATICs.
ii. Provides services to various categories of farmers through single window system.
iii. Supply of quality inputs to farmers.
iv. Provides solution based on diagnosis to farmers’ problems etc.
4. Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA):
The institutional mechanism in the form of Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) at district level was pilot tested under Innovations in Technology Dissemination (ITD) component of National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP) in seven states and 28 districts from 1998 to 2004.
Extension Reforms were introduced during 2005-06 by the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC), Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India as a major intervention in addressing the constraints as observed in T and V and post T and V system by making the extension system farmer driven and farmer accountable through process and institutional reforms mechanism. ATMA is a component of this extension reforms and all state establish ATMA at district level.
ATMA can receive funds directly (Government of India/States, Membership fees, beneficiaries’ contribution etc.). Local research and extension priorities are set through Strategic Research and Extension Plans (SREPs) which are developed by using participatory methodologies such as Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA). ATMA is being supported by a Governing Board (GB) and a Management Committee (MC).
Under each ATMA, Farm Information and Advisory Center (FIACs) are created at the block level. It consists of two bodies namely Farmer Advisory Committee (FAC) and Block Technology Team (BTT). The FAC is a body of farmer representatives (11-15 members representing various enterprises and socio economic strata). Key functions of FACs are to act as an agency for providing farmer feedback mechanism, help set block extension priorities and recommend resource allocation across programme areas, recommend Block Action Plan for approval of ATMA Governing Body, review and provide advice to each implementation unit at block level and help in formation of Farmer Interest Groups at block level and below.
The BTT, on the other hand, is a group of technical advisors operating at block level representing agriculture and allied sectors. It is an Inter Departmental Team of Agriculture and Line Departments operating at block level. The key functions of Block Technology Team are to facilitate formation of Farmers Interest Group (FIGs)/Farmers Organisation (FOs) at the block level and below, operationalize the SREP in each block and move towards single window extension system, help district core team in up gradation of SREP, prepare Block Action Plan detailing extension activities to be undertaken, and coordinate the implementation of extension programmes detailed in the Block Action Plan. FAC and BTT act as planning and operational arm of ATMA.
Commodity oriented Farmer Interest Groups (FIGs) and SHGs are promoted at block/village level to make the technology generation/dissemination farmer driven and farmer accountable. In order to address the extension needs of these groups, ATMA has established close linkages with various players operating at cutting edge level viz. public, private, NGOs, Para extension workers, input dealers, etc. In order to provide needed HRD support in innovative areas of extension delivery, a State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (SAMETI) has been established.
I. To identify location specific needs of farming community for farming system based agricultural development.
II. To set up priorities for sustainable agricultural development with a farming system approach.
III. To draw plans for production based system activities to be undertaken by farmers/ultimate users.
IV. To execute plans through line departments, training institutions, NGOs, farmers’ organization and allied institutions.
V. To coordinate efforts being made by various line departments, NGOs, organizations of the farmers and allied institutions.
VI. To strengthen research- extension-farmers linkages in the district and to promote collaboration and coordination between various states funded technical departments.
VII. To facilitate the empowerment of farmers/producers through assistance for their increased participation in planning, marketing, technology dissemination and agro -processing etc.
VIII. To facilitate market interventions for value addition to farm produce.
I. ATMA is established at district level as an autonomous institution providing flexible working environment involving all the stakeholders in planning and implementation of extension activities.
II. ATMA is a unique district level institution, which caters to activities in agriculture and allied sectors adopting a farming systems approach and convergence of programmes of related departments.
III. Local research and extension priorities are set through Strategic Research and Extension Plans (SREPs), which are developed using participatory methodologies.
IV. ATMA is registered under the “Societies Registration Act of 1860” that has considerable operational flexibility.
V. It operates under the guidance of a Governing Board (GB) that determines programme priorities and assesses programme impact.
VI. The executive head of ATMA is known as the Project Director (PD) and reports directly to the ATMA Governing Board.
VII. One of the most important activities undertaken by ATMA is to prepare Strategic Research and Extension Plan (SREP), which consist of detailed information about agriculture and allied sectors in the district.
VIII. The purpose of preparation of SREP is to identify research and extension needs of the district. This helps in undertaking only those extension activities which are needed by fanners in the district.
IX. SREP is prepared with full participation of farmers and their representatives at different level. Technical officers of agriculture and allied departments as well as from KVKs and other research institutions fully participate in preparation of SREPs.
X. Based on the research-extension strategies given in the SREPs, block/ district level plans are developed by ATMA institutions.
XI. The concept of ATMA envisages a paradigm shift from ‘top down’ to ‘bottom up’ in planning and implementation of agricultural development programmes.
i. It is proved as a cost effective extension system.
ii. Peoples’ participation is more in this approach.
iii. Introduction of NGO in extension system particularly in case of farmer’s mobilization.
iv. Involvement of women in agricultural development is increased.
v. Bottom up planning for agricultural development ensured quick solution of many farmers’ problem.
vi. Farmers’ organisations are formed which empower the farmers.
5. National Food Security Mission (NFSM):
The growth in food grain production has stagnated during recent past while the consumption need of the growing population is increasing. To meet the growing food grain demand, the National Development Council (NDC) in its 53rd meeting held on 29th May, 2007 adopted a resolution to launch a Food Security Mission comprising rice, wheat and pulses to increase the production of rice by 10 million tons, wheat by 8 million tons and pulses by 2 million tons by the end of the Eleventh Plan (2011-12). Accordingly, a centrally sponsored scheme, ‘National Food Security Mission’, has been launched from August, 2007 to operationalize the resolution.
The major objective of this scheme is to increase production and productivity of wheat, rice and pulses on a sustainable basis so as to ensure food security of the country. The approach is to bridge the yield gap in respect of these crops through dissemination of improved technologies and farm management practices.
More specifically the objectives are:
1. Increasing production of rice, wheat and pulses through area expansion and productivity enhancement in a sustainable manner in the identified districts of the country;
2. Restoring soil fertility and productivity at the individual farm level;
3. Creation of employment opportunities; and
4. Enhancing farm level economy (i.e. farm profits) to restore confidence amongst the farmers.
Strategy:
To achieve the above objectives, the Mission would adopt following strategies:
1. Implementation in a mission mode through active engagement of all the stakeholders at various levels.
2. Management including micronutrients, soil amendments, IPM and resource conservation technologies along with capacity building of farmers.
3. Flow of fund would be closely monitored to ensure that interventions reach the target beneficiaries on time.
4. Various interventions proposed would be integrated with the district plan and targets for each identified district would be fixed.
5. Constant monitoring and concurrent evaluation for assessing the impact of the interventions for a result oriented approach by the implementing agencies.
Major Components of NFSM:
1. National Food Security Mission – Rice (NFSM-Rice)
2. National Food Security Mission – Wheat (NFSM-Wheat)
3. National Food Security Mission – Pulses (NFSM-Pulses)
Total financial implications for the NFSM will be Rs.4882.48 crores during the XI Plan (2007-08 – 2011-12). Beneficiary farmers will contribute 50% of cost of the activities / work to be taken up at their / individual farm holdings. Beneficiaries can choose to draw loans from the Banks, in which case subsidy amount prescribed for a particular component for which the loan availed will be released to the Banks. The implementation of the NFSM would result in increasing the production of rice by 10 million tones, wheat by 8 million tones and pulses by 2 million tons by 2011-12. It would also create additional employment opportunities.
Total 136 districts of 14 States (AP, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, MP, Maharashtra, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, U.P. and West Bengal) will be covered under NFSM- Rice. Total 141 districts of 9 States (Punjab, Haryana, UP, Bihar, Rajasthan, MP, Gujarat, Maharashtra and West Bengal) will be covered under NFSM-Wheat. Total 171 districts of 14 States (AP, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, MP, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana, UP and West Bengal) will be covered under NFSM-Pulses. Twenty million hectares of rice, 13 million hectares of wheat and 4.5 million hectares of pulses are included in these districts that roughly constitute 50% of cropped area for wheat and rice.
For pulses, an additional 20% cropped area would be created. Panchayati Raj Institutions will be actively involved in selection of beneficiary and identification of priority areas for the implementation of Mission interventions; and implementation of local initiatives in the identified districts.
6. Some Others Important Programmes:
Besides these above programmes some other important programmes related to agricultural development are also implemented in India.
I. Small Farmer’s Development Agency (SFDA):
During green revolution all the small farmers were not benefited from the Green Revolution. Accordingly the fourth Five year plan laid special emphasis on enabling the small farmers to participate in the process of development and share the benefits. To achieve the objective the plan provided for the initiation of a project namely Small Farmer’s development Agency (SFDA) scheme, which was sanctioned during 1970-71.
But the actual implementation stared only during 1971-72. It is an autonomous agency registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860. It is established at district level. Initially it was a central level scheme until 1978-79, later it become joint venture of central and state government.
The aims of the SFDA are to identify the problems of the small farmers, to prepare appropriate programmes to overcome them and ensure the availability of inputs and credit. In all, about 50 SFDA projects have been established throughout the country under the Fourth Five-Year Plan and Rs.68 crores were allotted for these projects during the Fourth Plan.
II. Marginal Farmers and Agricultural Labourers Projects (MFAL):
This scheme was also launched in 1970-71. Its objective is to assist the marginal cultivators in making the maximum productive use of their small holdings by undertaking horticulture, animal husbandry and dairying. Efforts are also to be directed towards bringing in larger incomes by channeling credits, improved inputs and improved practices. Under this scheme, 41 projects were scheduled to be established throughout the country in the Fourth Five-Year Plan to cover farmers having holdings of not more than one hectare and agricultural labourers having a homestead and earning half or more of their income from agricultural wages.
Each Project aimed at covering about 20,000 households during the Fourth Five-Year Plan, of which about two-thirds would be from the marginal farmers and the rest from agricultural labourers. On the recommendation of National Commission on Agriculture (1976) MFAL was merged with SFDA.
III. Technology Mission for Development of Horticulture in North Eastern Region including Sikkim:
For integrated development of horticulture in a mission mode to foster rapid growth/prosperity and to improve livelihood opportunities in the North Eastern region including Sikkim, a centrally sponsored schemes on Technology Mission, was approved by EFC (Expenditure Finance Committee) and CCEA (Cabinet Committee On Economic Affairs) has been launched from 2001-02. It is a Central Sector scheme.
The mission is based on the “end-to-end” approach taking into account the entire gamut of horticulture development, which all backward and forward linkages, in a holistic manner. Considering the potential of horticulture for socio-economic development of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal, which are contiguous hilly states, Government of India has decided to extend the implementation of the Technology Mission to these states from 2003-04.
Objectives:
The objectives of the mission are to:
i. Establish convergence and synergy among numerous ongoing governmental programme in the field of horticulture development to achieve horizontal and vertical integration of these programmes.
ii. Ensure adequate, appropriate, timely and concurrent attention to all the links in the production, post-harvest and consumption chain.
iii. Maximize economic, ecological and social benefits from the existing investment and infrastructure created for horticulture development.
iv. Promote ecologically sustainable intensification, economically desirable diversification and skilled employment.
v. Generate value addition; promote the development and dissemination of eco- technologies based on the blending of the traditional wisdom and technology with frontier knowledge such as bio-technology, information technology and space technology; and to provide the missing links in ongoing horticulture development projects.
Salient Features:
The Technology Mission has Four Mini Missions:
1. Mini Mission-I (Technology Development /Research):
It aims to provide technological support by way of providing information on practices, nucleus planting material and skill up gradation for adoption of technology. It will have a major link for inflow of improved technologies. Mini Mission-I is coordinated and implemented by ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research).
2. Mini Mission-II (Production Enhancement):
This mini mission primarily aims at increasing the quantum of production and productivity of the horticulture produce in the region. The major activity in this mission would be increasing production through area expansion under various horticultural crops having linkages with other missions. Mini Mission-II is coordinated by DAC (Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, New Delhi) and implemented by the Agriculture /Horticulture Departments of these states.
3. Mini Mission-III (Post -Harvest Management, Marketing & Export):
This mini mission aims to create infrastructural facilities for post-harvest management, marketing and export. It is coordinated by DAC and implemented by NHB (National Horticulture Board), DMI (Directorate of Marketing Intelligence), NAFED (National Agriculture Cooperative Marketing Federation), APEDA (Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority).
4. Mini Mission-IV (Processing):
This mini mission is coordinated and implemented by MFPI (Ministry of Food Processing Industries). Programmes which will be taken up by MFPI, are (a) Promotion of new units (b) Up-gradation and modernization of existing units (c) Research & Development (d) Market Promotion (e) Human Resource Development.
IV. Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize:
In order to provide flexibility to the States in implementation based on regionally differentiated approach, to promote crop diversification and to provide focused approach to the programmes, the schemes of Oilseeds Production Programme, Oil Palm Development Programme, National Pulses Development Project and Accelerated Maize Development Programme of Ninth Plan have been merged into one Centrally Sponsored Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (IPOPOM) – External website that opens in a new window during the 10th Five Year Plan which is being implemented with effect from 1st April, 2004. The scheme is being implemented by 14 major growing States for oilseeds and pulses and 15 States for Maize and in 10 States for oil palm.
Special Features:
1. Flexibility to the States to utilize the funds for the scheme/crop of their choice.
2. Annual action plan to be formulated by the State Governments for consideration and approval of the Government of India.
3. Flexibility to the States for introducing innovative measures or any special component to the extent of 10 per cent of financial allocation.
4. Involvement of private sector by the State Governments for the implementation of the programme with a financial cap of 15 per cent.
5. Flexibility for inter component diversion of funds upto 20 per cent for non-seed components only and
6. Diversion of funds from seed components to non-seed components with the prior approval of the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation.
Implementation of oilseeds production programme helped in increasing the production of oilseeds from 108.30 lakh tones in 1985-86 to 281.57 lakh tonnes during 2008-09 (IV Adv. Est.). The pulses production in the country increased from 128.60 lakh in 1989-90 to 146.62 (IV Adv. Est.) lakh tonnes in 2008-09.
The area under Oil palm increased from 8,585 ha at the end of 1992-93 to 26,178 ha in 2008-09. Actual production of Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFBs) during 2008-09 is 355,480.36 MTs yielding around 59,007.40 metric tonnes of Crude Palm Oil (CPO). The production of maize increased from 88.94 lakh tones in 1994-95 to 192.87 lakh tonnes in 2008-09 (IV Adv. Estimates).