Efforts of Government on Reforming Agricultural Extension in Bihar: The ATMA Approach

Singh, K M and Meena, M S (2019): Efforts of Government on Reforming Agricultural Extension in Bihar: The ATMA Approach.

Abstract

The extension system being an increasingly important engine for transfer of knowledge, innovations, and developments in agriculture, needs reforms over time. During mid-1990s, the Government of India (GoI) and the World Bank explored a new approach to address the prevalent problems and constraints of the agricultural extension system. A new approach known as Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) was pilot-tested through Innovations for Technology Dissemination (ITD) component of the World Bank funded, National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP) that became effective in 1998 and concluded in June 2005. The present study was undertaken to measure the impact of ATMA model implemented under the ITD component of NATP in Bihar using following indicators: research-extension-farmer interface, level of diversification, adoption of technology, and change in crop yields in the study locale. The study has revealed that the NATP-ATMA approach generated some financial resources, developed infrastructure, and facilitated the trainings of farmers. The study revealed that scientists have become more responsive to the needs of farmers and have sharpened their focus of research to meet location-specific requirements of farmers. Considerable improvement in adoption of new technologies and farm practices by all categories of farmers was observed. The spillover effect of these interventions was also seen in the nearby districts.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: ATMA Model, NATP, Extension Reforms, Innovations in technology dissemination, Impact assessment
• Subjects: Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q1 - Agriculture; Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q1 - Agriculture > Q16 - R&D ; Agricultural Technology ; Biofuels ; Agricultural Extension Services; Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q1 - Agriculture > Q18 - Agricultural Policy ; Food Policy

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