Innovative Approaches in Technology Dissemination: Experiences of ATMA Model in Bihar

Abstract

The move from a policy of food security to a strategy that focuses on agricultural diversification aimed at increasing farm income and rural employment carries with it implicit risks for the small-scale farm households that are expected to benefit from this approach. ATMA model which was introduced to replace T&V to over come some of its weaknesses has been quite successful and for the first time, an attempt for convergence of extension by different service providers has been attempted through a legally-constituted body. In addition, ATMA’s have developed a mechanism for participation of farmers in deciding priorities (through Strategic Research and Extension Plan), identifying and implementation programmes (through Farmer Advisory Committees-FAC’s). This has brought some additional funding for implementing demonstrations, trainings, exposure visits, and forming farmer groups and the groups are now facilitated in developing better links with agro-processors. Further, ATMA’s brought some publicity and goodwill and also generated some success stories for extension at a time when public funding and support for extension has been dwindling. They also provided space for seeding some new ideas such as public-private partnerships and user contribution for extension, though several challenges still remain in mainstreaming these ideas

However, ATMA director and other agricultural leaders within each district need to continually assess their comparative and competitive advantage in producing different high-value crops and products. The most critical output of this strategy will be that the current generation of farmers will learn new technical, management and organizational skills that will be passed on to the next generation as they seek employment outside of production agriculture.

Keywords: ATMA model, Extension reforms, technology dissemination

JEL Classification: Q16, Q18