IT Connectivity

         Improving the information capacity of the agricultural technology dissemination systems is one of the important goals of NATP.  The project proposes to promote extensive use of modern information technology for effective two way co communication among researchers, extension managers and their farmer clients, so as to make transfers of technology and information more cost effective.   Information Technology networking will be made available to all the stakeholders who are participating in the project with ATMA as the main coordinating agencies at district level.  The project proposes to support these units by providing the following. 

 1.1   Electronic access through email/internet of all the participating agencies including Directorate of Extension(DOE), National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Extension Education Institute(EEI), State Headquarters(SHQ), State Agricultural Universities (SAU),  State Agricultural Management Extension Training Institutes (SAMETIs), Agricultural Management Technology Agencies (ATMAs) (including all line departments), Zonal Research Stations (ZRSs), Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVKs), Farm Information Advisory Centres (FIACs) and Non Government Organizations(NGOs) working in agricultural sector.

1.2.      Computer related equipment would be provided to all the above participating agencies along with appropriate software and training input.

1.3.      Project also proposes to support creation of information contents so as to provide critical information to the farmers about SREP, crop technology, market intelligence and other information (as per their demand) on continuous basis.

1.4.      Project will fund the communication expenses for telephone lines of Internet / email services.

Proposed connectivity under NATP

 1.1.  The above agencies will be provided Pentium computer systems with atleast 64 MB RAM of 4 GB HDD alongwith email/internet through VSAT/Lease Line/Dial-up Connection.   The national and state level institutions and organizations will be connected on video conferencing (DOE, MANAGE, SAMETI and SHQ).   MS Office will be base software with windows 98-2000. It will be provided to all the participating agencies in the project.  It is proposed to provide one IT facilitator for one year to all the participating agencies upto district level so as to provide hand holding facility, continuous training to all the users from all the line departments on sustainable basis.

1.2.  All the training institutions at national and state level will be provided one IT trainer for one year to meet the IT training needs of all the participating agencies within the concerned state.

1.3.  It is proposed to create information packaging units in terms of training manpower at selected KVKs/ZRSs and DOE of concerned SAU and at MANAGE so as to package the required information to meet the user demand.

1.4.  All the operating cost of communications & information technology is provided under the project.   ATMA will provide the funding to all the participating agencies at district and below level to meet the communication cost including telephone bills and email/internet charges during the project period