JOINT SECRETARY LETTER

A.K. Agarwal   Joint Secretary (Extn.)

D.O.No.27(1)/2003-NATP(TC)-SEWP/AE Dated, the 20^th April, 2005. Telefax : 23381045

Dear I take pleasure in informing you that the Government of India has recently approved the implementation of a Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms” during the X Plan period. This scheme is a major initiative towards revitalizing agricultural extension in the States to make the extension system decentralized and demand driven.
2.	The scheme shall be implemented through an autonomous district level institution to be established by the States in the form of an Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA). The detailed provisions of the scheme are given in the enclosed document. You are requested to kindly initiate immediate action for implementation of the scheme in your state.
3.	As a first step, please identify a maximum of --- districts for coverage under the scheme, in order of priority. It is possible that the districts may be covered in phases.
4.	Due consideration should be given to the following criteria in selection of districts to be covered under the Scheme :
	(i)	Districts covered under ITD-NATP and DASP-I will have to be included in the total number of districts being proposed by these States, keeping in mind the need to avoid duplication of funding for the same activities.
	(ii)	Different agro-climatic zones within the State should be covered.
	(iii)	Districts having significant economic activity in sectors allied to agriculture should also be covered.
	(iv)	Resource poor areas, such as dryland districts identified for coverage under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act could be given priority.
	(v)	Presence of agriculture research institutions/SAU/KVK may be duly considered.
	(vi)	Marketing and agro-processing potential and availability of dedicated staff at the district level may be duly taken into account.
5.	Parallely, following strategic steps may be taken up to initiate the scheme activities at an early date :-
	-	Identify a Nodal Officer at the State level for this Scheme.
	-	Constitute of a state level Inter Departmental Working Group (IDWG) to initiate and   oversee the activities for implementation of the scheme.
	-	Identify a State Nodal Institution to act as State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (SAMETI) for HRD support under the scheme.
	-	Identify core faculty for SAMETI for receiving training at MANAGE, etc.
	-	Finalize and submit the framework for ATMA like Institution in the districts for approval by this Department.
6.	The scheme is proposed to be funded on 90:10 pattern between Government of India and State/UT. The funds are proposed to be routed through an autonomous institute/SAMETI. Such an institution may be identified and its name may be communicated to this Department. Requisite action for meeting State’s share may also be initiated.
7.	We shall soon be organizing meeting/orientation programme for the State functionaries. Please take necessary action as suggested above and intimate the same to us.
8	We look forward to your active cooperation in expeditious implementation of this Scheme in your State for revitalizing agriculture extension.
	With regards,
	Yours sincerely,                                                                                    ( A.K. Agarwal )
	Encl : As above APC/Secretary (Agriculture) All the States/UTs Copy to : 1. DG, MANAGE, Hyderabad