Close to 50 MN farmers benefited from implementation of modern techniques in agriculture

NEW DELHI, 25 December 2018 : As per the results of ‘Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households’ conducted by National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) in 2013, about 63.5 percent of the agricultural households in the rural areas of the country reported cultivation as their principal source of income. Details of the number of farmers still following age old practices are not available in the Survey.

Government has been taking various initiatives to create awareness among farmers about new techniques through such programmes as  extension reforms, Mass Media Support to Agricultural Extension, Kisan Call Centers, Agri-Clinics and Agri-business Centers, Exhibitions/Fairs, etc.

A Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms’ popularly known as ATMA Scheme is being implemented in 676 districts of 29 states & 3 UTs of the country, including all the districts of Maharashtra & Jharkhand. The scheme promotes decentralized and farmer-friendly extension system in the country.

Under the Scheme, Grants-in-aid is released to the State Governments {In the ratio of 60:40 (Centre:State) to General States, 90:10 for North-Eastern & 3 Himalayan States and 100% for UTs} with an objective to support State Government’s efforts to revitalize their extension system and making available the latest agricultural technologies and good agricultural practices in different thematic areas.

The extension activities include farmers training, demonstrations, exposure visits, Kisan Mela, mobilization of Farmers Groups and organizing Farm Schools, etc.

Since inception w.e.f. 2005-06 to 2018-19 (upto 6th December, 2018), over 483.82 lakh farmers have been benefitted through different extension activities under the Scheme. Details are given in the Annexure. 

Annexure

Annexure in reference to reply to Part (c) to (f) of L.S Unstarred Q.No. 104 due for

Reply on 11-12-2018 

Details of farmers benefitted through different extension activities from 2005-06 to 2018-19 (up to 6th December, 2018)
S. N0.	STATE	ATMA Districts	Farmers Benefitted
1	Andhra Pradesh	13	1963115
2	Bihar	38	5331746
3	Chhatisgarh	27	1400716
4	Goa	2	15731
5	Gujarat	33	3880759
6	Haryana	21	659145
7	Himachal Pradesh	12	573877
8	J & K	22	158055
9	Jharkhand	24	908944
10	Karnataka	29	2195407
11	Kerala	14	2070533
12	Maharashtra	33	2946071
13	Madhya Pradesh	51	3786817
14	Orissa	30	4280660
15	Punjab	22	1712617
16	Rajasthan	33	2660159
17	Telangana	30	477732
18	Tamil Nadu	31	3209473
19	Uttar Pradesh	75	5561465
20	Uttarakhand	13	1056672
21	West Bengal	19	1622076
22	Assam	26	101207
23	Arunachal Pradesh	21	281355
24	Manipur	9	135578
25	Meghalaya	11	35185
26	Mizoram	8	143436
27	Nagaland	11	867961
28	Tripura	8	135912
29	Sikkim	4	83428
30	Delhi	1	162
31	Puducherry	2	24934
32	A&N	3	101416
	Total	676	48382343

 

This information was given by Minister of State for Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.