The National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP) is a dynamic instrument of introducing major changes in the Agricultural Research and Extension systems of the country, besides developing their capabilities to meet  future challenges. The project was initiated by Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India with the financial assistance of World Bank and would be implemented with the assistance of MANAGE in 28 districts covering 7 states, viz. Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa and Punjab  over a period of 5 years (1998-2003).

The World Bank assisted National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP) aims at improving research and extension services.

The Research component of NATP is being implemented by the Indian council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Extension component by the Department of Agriculture and Co-operation. The different Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) involved in implementation of  the ITD component of NATP are:

(i) Directorate of Extension (DOE)

(ii) National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE)

(iii) NATP cell at State Head Quarters

(iv) State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (SAMETI)

(v) District Level Agricultural Technology Management Agencies (ATMAs)

 

The Extension component termed as "Innovations in Technology Dissemination"(ITD) envisages an integrated extension delivery at district level and is being pilot tested in seven participating states, viz. Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab.

The purpose of this component is to test new approaches to technology transfer, new organizational arrangements, and operational procedures. One of the goal is to decentralize decision making to the district level through the creation of Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) as a registered society. The second goal is to increase farmer input into programme planning and resource allocation especially at the block level and increase accountability to stakeholders. The third goal is to increase programme coordination and integration. Funds would be provided to 28 pilot districts in seven states to create Agricultural Technology Management Agency which will bring together researchers, extensionists, farmers and other stakeholders (including NGOs and the corporate sector) to make, on the basis of joint diagnostic studies, district Extension Plans and recommendations for expanded adaptive research to introduce innovations in technology dissemination matched to local needs and characteristics.

Four districts in each of the seven participating states are identified for pilot testing as detailed below.

Andhra Pradesh : Kurnool, Prakasam, Adilabad and Chittoor

Bihar : Muzaffarpur, Madhubani, Munger, Patna Rural

Jharkhand : Dumka, Jamtara,Palamau,Chaibara

Himachal Pradesh : Shimla,Hamirpur,Kangra,Bilaspur

Maharashtra : Ahmednagar, Amaravati, Aurangabad, and Ratnagiri

Orissa : Khurda, Koraput, Ganjam, Sambhalpur 

Punjab : Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, Sangrur and Faridkot

In each of the pilot districts, an Agricultural Technology Management Agency(ATMA) would be established as a registered society for integrating research and extension activities.