Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) project was introduced in the end of 11th five year plan in India. ATMA is a registered society of key stakeholders involved in agricultural activities for sustainable agricultural development in the district. It is a focal point for integrating Research and Extension activities and decentralizing day-to-day management of Agricultural Extension System for transfer of agricultural technology.
Why ATMA:
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The ATMA at district level would be increasingly responsible for all the technology dissemination activities at the district level. It would have linkage with all the line departments, research organizations, non-governmental organizations and agencies associated with agricultural development in the district. Research and Extension units within the districts such as Zonal Research Stations (ZRS) or substations, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and the key line Departments of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Horticulture and Fisheries etc. would become constituent members of ATMA. Each Research-Extension (R-E) unit would retain its institutional identity and affiliation but programmes and procedures concerning district-wise R-E activities would be determined by ATMA Governing Board to be implemented by its Management Committee (AMC). As a society, it would be able to receive and expend funds, entering into contracts & agreements and maintaining revolving accounts that can be used to collect fees and thereby recovering operating cost.
Objectives:
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1. To transfer the latest agricultural technology to farmer`s field according to their need by using appropriate extension techniques.
2. To decentralize the power of decision making from taluka and district level.
3. To involve farmers at each level of planning to execution of agricultural development programmes.
4. To establish the coordination among (all stakeholders) government, semi-government, non-government, corporate, farmers organization and especially, the Department of Agricultural, Department of Animal Husbandry, Department of fishery, Department of forest, Small Scale Industry who are engaged in agricultural development.
