Director Extension, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, Government of India, Arun Kumar reviewed the working of Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) at Krishi Bhawan, Talab Tillo, Jammu here today.Director Agriculture, Jammu Hari Krishan Razdan, who is also Nodal Officer, ATMA gave a brief outline of different components, activities and programmes under implementation for the welfare of farming community in the state. He informed that the ATMA is working on multiple fronts to disseminate the latest interventions and technology to the farmers.Director Extension, Arun Kumar, while highlighting the role of ATMA under National Mission on Agriculture Extension & Technology (NMAET) for transfer of technology in the agriculture and allied sectors, said that the extension activities should be focused on raising the economic status of small and marginal farmers to achieve sustainability and profitability in farming. He also interacted with the Project Directors (CAOs), Deputy Project Directors (DPDs), Agriculture Technology Managers (ATMs) to get the first hand knowledge about the on ground experiences, activities, problems, bottlenecks and suggestions for better working of the scheme.There is lot of scope for improvement through advance planning, bringing organizational efficiency and convergence of different farm related agencies, he added.
Director Extension further said that on the basis of feedback throughout the country, the ATMA guidelines are being revised and the grass root level extension functionaries are being trained and equipped with knowledge management to get visible on field results.The Deputy Project Directors (DPDs), Agriculture Technology Managers (ATMs) of different districts gave PowerPoint Presentations on various field activities. They also asked for revision of cost norms under different components including their remuneration, staff shortage and capacity building through their trainings within and outside state.The meeting was attended by Deputy Director of Agriculture (Trainings), Sunil Koul, Chief Agriculture Officer Jammu/Samba, Narender Mishra, Deputy Director Central, Jammu, Jagmohan Bhat, Agriculture Information Officer, JC Raina, I/C ATMA, SK Bhan, Dy Project Directors (SAMETI), AEO Information, Vikas Sharma, Dr Ramakant Sharma, Puja Nayyar, Deputy Project Directors (ATMA), B B Sidha, Ravider Kachroo, Ashok Gupta, Romesh Khosa, besides others concerned officers.