Strengthening Agricultural Extension
H/A: 2401-00-109-80 Rs. 2828.00 lakh
For the success of agricultural development programmes, the field extension services need to be strengthened. The ATMA model of Agricultural extension with suitable modification integrated as ATMA plus is being implemented in the state for transfer of scientific and advanced technology to farmer fields and its adoption. An amount of ₹ 2828.00 lakh is earmarked for strengthening of agricultural extension activities during 2022-23.
The component wise allocation for strengthening agricultural extension are as below.
As part of strengthening of extension institutions, an amount of ₹ 200.00 lakh is allocated for upgradation of RATTCs and FTCs and ₹ 320.00 lakh for strengthening of project directorate of ATMA including HR support to project Directorate of ATMA and operational support. An amount of ₹ 300.00 lakh is set apart for support to LEADS. The state share of ATMA programmes is included under the umbrella scheme Krishi Unnathi Yojana.
In order to strengthen the Farm Plan based development programme, an amount of ₹ 200.00 lakh is set apart. Out of this an amount of ₹ 50.00 lakh is allocated for state level small farm mechanization project with multi stakeholder participation including KAU and KSAMM. This is in addition to the amount provided under Farm Plan based development approach.
An amount of ₹ 150.00 lakh is earmarked for awards for best performers excluding officials.
Under the component “Public Participation” an amount of ₹ 300.00 lakh is set apart for conduct of Karshika Vikasana Samithies, seminars, farmers day, review meetings assistance for farm melas, farmer meets, Karshaka Sabha, njattuvela chanthas and agro festivals including those organized by FPOs/PACS.
The ‘Karshaka Information Systems Services and Network (KISSAN) Kerala’ project initiated by Department of Agriculture in association with IIITMK providing ICT enabled agriculture extension services through weekly informative television programmes will be continued. An amount of ₹ 60.00 lakh is earmarked for providing project based assistance for KISSAN Project. The contents of the programme will be decided by the technical committee consisting of KAU extension, department officials (FIB), VFPCK and IIITMK.
LEADS project will be continued for which 150.00 lakh is earmarked. The scheme is proposed to be implemented through Technology and Market Unit to be constituted in the panchayats. Additional one Assistant Technology Managers (like Field Assistant of the present LEADS Panchayat) for every block will be provided to streamline the activities and to expand the LEADS activities to the whole of the state apart from the four LEADS districts viz. Wayanad, Kannur, Palakkad and Kollam. Components like LEADS, ATMA plus, MTA preparation, Panchayat Resource Group and Panchayat Farm Plan, visit of experts/officials progressive farmers to research institute, model farms are included in the project. An amount of 50 lakh is provided for establishment of Integrated Farming System farm models at block level. An amount of 50.00 lakh is earmarked for providing operational support and hiring of vehicles for all project directorates for effective extension delivery.
Under the component “Public Participation” out of the total outlay of 300.00 lakh an amount of 230.00 lakh is set apart for conduct of Karshika Vikasana Samithies, seminars, farmers day, review meetings assistance for farm melas, farmer meets and agro festivals including those organized by FPOs/PACS will be provided. For Karshaka Sabha and njattuvela chanthas an amount of 50.00 lakh is provided. An amount of 20.00 lakh is set apart for monitoring and documentation of the project implementation through PACS and FPO’s.
The ‘Karshaka Information Systems Services and Network (KISSAN) Kerala’ project initiated by Department of Agriculture in association with IIITMK will be continued. An amount of 60.00 lakh is earmarked for providing project based assistance for KISSAN Project. The contents of the programme will be decided by the technical committee consisting of KAU extension, department officials (FIB), VFPCK and IIITMK.
An amount of 100.00 lakh is earmarked for conduct of VAIGA 2021-22.
