Public Agricultural Extension System Support for the Natural Farming: A Case of Convergence Effort under ATMA, India

Hema Sarat Chandra. N^1, and K.S. Kadian¹

¹Dairy extension division, NDRI-Karnal

Cite this paper:
Hema Sarat Chandra. N and K.S. Kadian. Public Agricultural Extension System Support for the Natural Farming: A Case of Convergence Effort under ATMA, India. American Journal of Rural Development. 2016; 4(4):93-99. doi: 10.12691/ajrd-4-4-3

Abstract

Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) of India is a huge public extension system, it usually converge different extension service providing agencies, research organizations, NGOs, and other such agencies at district level with the farming communities (FIGs). Recognizing the importance of group led extension approach; ATMA has developed and/or strengthens several common interest groups (FIGs). One of the active performing groups was studied about its dynamics and empowerment brought forth by ATMA is presented in this paper. The reason behind in selection of this particular farmers’ interest group (FIG) is it’s unique practice of paddy cultivation rather to use synthetic chemicals. ATMA has strengthened this group with its convergence activity in collaboration with department of animal husbandry and NGO at their locality. ATMA is acting upon this group since eleven years to empower the farmers through group led extension. To measure the impact of ATMA in empowering the group, present study was conducted with the following objective: To measure the group dynamics of FIG - Natural farming and to identify the extent of empowerment as perceived by the respondents. To measure the group dynamics of this FIG, group dynamics index (GDI) was developed for this study. This FIG natural farming scored 0.63 out of 1 on GDI. According to the members of FIG natural farming, most of the empowerment (25.71%) fell out in economic security dimension.

Keywords:
ATMA Cow based Natural farming convergence group dynamics index farmers’ interest groups small farmers & poor farmers

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Figures

References:

[1]	Chandra, N.H.S and Kadian, K.S. Dynamics of coordination among different agencies with ATMA in Andhra Pradesh. Unpublished manuscript, National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal, India, 2016.
[2]	Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC). 10th Plan Scheme - Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms, Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, New Delhi, 2005. Available: http:// www.agricoop.nic.in/PolicyIncentives/ XPlanScheme.htm. [Accessed July 28, 2014].
[3]	Guilford, J.P. Psychometric methods (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill, the University of Wisconsin – Madison, New York, 1954; 181-183.
[4]	Indian Institute of Management. Impact Assessment Report on the Innovations in Technology Dissemination (ITD) Component of the National Agricultural Technology Project, Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow, 2004.
[5]	Reddy, M.N. and Swanson, B. Strategy for up-scaling the ATMA model in India, In: Proceedings of the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education, AIAEE 22nd Annual Conference, Clearwater Beach, Florida, USA, May 14-19, 2006, Ed: J.R. Vreyens, USA, 2006; 561-569.