When started

Approved on 29th March, 2005

Highlights of the scheme

• 237 ATMA at district level have been set up.
• 252 districts across all the States/UTs in the country were covered under the scheme during the 10th Plan.
• Creating Farmer Advisory Committee to improve feedback.
• Using NGOs to organize farmers.
• Encouraging private sector involvement in technology transfer.
• Validation and refining technologies through research units in the district.
• Bottom up planning procedure.
• Increased use of Information Technology (ARIS, WWW)
• In-service training to increase staff competence.
• Developing new Public-Private partnerships.
• Formation and strengthening of farmer's interest group.

Objectives

• To strengthen Research – Extension – Farmer linkages.
• To provide an effective mechanism for co-ordination and management of activities of different agencies involved in technology adaption / validation and dissemination at the district level and below.
• To increase the quality and type of technologies being disseminated.
• To move towards shared ownership of the agricultural technology system by key shareholders.
• To develop new partnerships with the private institutions including NGOs.

Funding

• The scheme is supported by the Central Government.
• The funding pattern is 90% by the Central Government and 10% by the State Government.
• The 10% state’s share shall consist of cash contribution of the State, beneficiary contribution or the contribution of other non-governmental organizations.

Allocation of funds

• The entire X Plan outlay (Rs.226.07 crores) for the scheme shall be utilized for activities to be implemented by States/ districts.
• The decision on use of funds will be taken at 3 levels namely – Centre, State and District.
• An amount of Rs. 167.56 crores amounting to 77.53% has been allocated for district level programmes.
• An amount of Rs. 22.15 crores amounting to 10.25% has been allocated for State level programmes.
• An amount of Rs. 26.41 crores amounting to 12.22% shall be available under the control of the Government of India.
• This amount shall be utilized for innovative activities to be approved by the Government of India.
• However, implementation of these activities will be done by States/districts.