District Dumka has been identified for testing a decentralized system of extension management project being named as "National Agricultural Technology Project-NATP".  A registered autonomous body under the society act is to be created at district level called as Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) . This body will function under the overall guidance of its governing board represented by various allied departments, SAU, ZRS, NGO, farmers representatives etc.  Operational modalities of planning and implementation of action plan and fund flow mechanisms. will be as under:

1.  Preparation of Annual action plan:

Based upon the Strategic Research and Extension Plan of the district, a detailed annual work plan is prepared for each block as a unit.   The annual action plan for 1999-2000 has been prepared by utilizing collected data from one representative village for each 4-agro ecological situations.  The further annual action plan for subsequent years may be prepared on the basis of overall future feedback..           

Preparation of annual action plan for 1999-2000 for remaining 10 blocks of Dumka district will be carried out by taking the following steps.   

a) Identification of major agro-ecological situations in each of the remaining blocks.   

b) Using the available data from representative villages for preparing annual action plan for concerned AES to other blocks as well.   

C) Identification and survey of new representative villages for additional agro-ecological situation as the major situation. The minor situation will be considered during the second year for action plan preparation.

Technical approval of annual action plan:

As per the set up of NATP, initial approval of annual action plan is to be carried out at block level by the Farmers Advisory Committee (FAC).  This committee is to be changed by an elected chairperson of similar committee constituted at Block level for rural development activities under the new Panchayat Raj System.  The members of FAC may consist of representatives from different farmers groups being organized in pilot blocks under NATP.  Till the groups are formed, representative from operational villages dealing with major commodities may be nominated by different line departments.  The subject matter specialists of ZRS and senior persons from line departments in the district may participate in the meeting of block level for approval of action and their improvement.  The approved action plan by above committee may be sent to ATMA for follow up action.

Administrative Approval of Action Plan:

The annual action plan of all block under NATP are to be consolidated at district level by ATMA and scrutinized by its Management Committee.  In case of major envisaged changes representatives of concerned FAC may be invited for joint meeting with management committee for making relevant changes.  Thereafter, the consolidated plan may be approved by Governing Board of ATMA.

Financial Approval of Action Plan:

The annual action plan should be sent to coordinated cell of NATP with a copy to nodal officers of line departments for their recommendation.  The modifications suggested by nodal officers of line departments may either be incorporated in consultation of Governing Board of ATMA or can be considered for preparing action plan in the following year depending upon the significance.

Based upon the comments of the nodal officer of different line department, the coordinating cell of NATP may examine it from financial view before the release of fund.

Fund Flow Mechanism:

The fund for extension and adaptive research component for four pilot blocks of Dumka district may be released directly to the account of ATMA as per the approved annual action plan.  Thereafter, ATMA may release fund for each block directly in the official account of the senior most representative person of the concern line departments at the block level.  The block level person shall release funds to nominated persons of each line department of the block level for implementing the programme as per approved plan of the work.

The budget may be released for half at a time , at all levels, based upon the progress of work and fund utilization.  Hence, demand of fund should be made by each block representative which shall be consolidated by ATMA for the sanction by state level coordinating cell.

Operational Modalities for implementation of the programme :

The annual action has been divided broadly into two separate parts (I) replication of proven technologies ( success stories) and (II) assessment and refinement of new research findings for new success stories generation.

Under the present conventional top down approach, many research findings emerging from public sector research are directly passed onto extension persons for onwards transfer to farmers without their proper assessment/ refinement under farmers conditions. On the other hand, many research findings evolved through private sector NGO, or even by innovation of farmers did not get adequate attention of public sector extension system for replication on large scale.  It is envisaged that the extension persons from line departments ( particularly block level and below )should focus their main attention on replication of proven technologies.  A proven technology is that which is adopted and replicated by the farmers at their own cost such success stories may have been evolved through any source of innovations ( public, private, NGO or innovative farmers).  Hence, the extension person should concentrate on identifying these successes, analysis them  with regard to technological aspects and process aspects and also statistical replicability in similar situation else where.

It is also envisaged that farmers who are directly associated with these success stories may act as resource persons/trainers. In such kind of farmers driven/oriented extension the role of extension person becomes more and more of a facilitator provider, motivator rather than an agent for transferring impact points emerging from on station research or subsidized impact identified through macro-level planning .

The second part of action plan relates to the assessment and refinement of new research findings. The activity is expected to be carried out directly by subject matter specialists working preferable in ZRS under this part of programme, promising findings from on station research shall be systematically tested in farmers field. The actual replication of such technologies to other farmers by extension person would be taken up only after the new technology has become a success story. The subject matter specialists would keep on making with farmers not only to test and refine the technology but also to sort out non-technological constraints which shall enable farmers to adopted the new technology .

There shall be distinctly separate role for extensions persons and the scientist subject matter specialist of ZRS as discussed above. The implication modality for each activity under the two parts of annual action plan are briefly discussed as below,

A. Replication of proven technologies (success stories):

A.1 Survey of success stories:

This activity shall be carried out essentially by the extension officers at block level. The subject matter specialists of ZRS may also take-up such studies . A separate budget has been allocated a part for this purpose to cover the cost of TA/DA stationary etc. During the preliminary field practical some success stories have already been identified. To being with these can be studied in detail . Other success stories would like use be identified and studies in future.

A.2  Focused exposure visit of farmers and extension persons to successful examples:

After the analysis of success stories a focused exposure visit may be organized for relevant farmers and extension persons. The identification of farmers for such visits may be done through any of the two approaches.

A.3  Organization of Demonstration:

This activities to be carried out under the direct supervision of Agricultural Officer of Department of Agriculture and equivalent officer in other departments. It is needless to mention that demonstration shall be organized early on those technologies which has already be tested/ refined by ZRS and found to be successful in villages where it was tested. Usually motivation of farmers should be achieved through a focused exposure visit to such villages. However, it the site of the success story is too far, it may be desirable to conduct demonstration in the operational villages to reduce the cost.

A.4 Organization of Skill oriented Training Programme:

Focused exposure visit to success story shall lead to motivation of new farmers. Source of the new technology is simple enough and hence the farmers would be able to adopt them by themselves. However, in some cases it would be essential to organize skill oriented training programme so that it would become easier for farmers to adopt new technology. It is essential that such training programme are organized only for those farmers who are already motivated and for whom new technology are relevant. It may preferably include those farmers who have gone for exposure visit through other farmers any also joint. It would be desirable that such farmers will be used as trainers. The extension person may still have to perform a lot of other responsibilities regarding facilitating the whole process and whenever needed to build the training skill/communication skills among those farmers who are going to become trainers.

It is also desirable to advisee new farmers to contribute a part of the cost towards training programme. This is meant to ensure that only willing and motivated farmers are joining the skill oriented course and also to recover a part of the cost to meet exposed of travel an honorarium to successful farmers.

A.5 Advisory service on Diversification and Intensification Of existing farming system:

Individual farmers are possessing their own system of farming in their existing resources and agro-ecological circumstances. This very stem is having the good opportunities of intensification or diversification for high farm economy and employment as well. Under the proposed extension programme, a high priority is to be given on diversification and intensification, of existing farming system through inclusion of new remunerative commodities and working possibilities. This aspects requires two kinds of skills on the part of the adviser. One skill relates to management aspect (usually known as farm management skill which deal with optimum allocation / reallocation of resources to manage new farming system) ; the second skill relates to technological aspect with regard to the new enterprises being considered under the new farming system.

It is proposed that one person at block level ( Agri. Officer) would be identified and trained on the first skill ( about management aspect) so that farmers would be advised on change to be considered about choice of enterprises in the overall farming system.  Afterwards, the farmers could go to the concerned technical person within the representation line department for advise / training exposure visit regarding technical aspects of the proposed enterprise.

At first it would be difficult for the Agriculture officer of block level to independently operate the advisory service on management aspects of farming system. Hence, it may be useful to consider that similar advisory services (on management aspect) would be initiated at ZRS by a competent person having a degree and experience in Agro-economics. It is envisaged that there would be a close functional linkage between these on regular basis preferably during proposed monthly/bio-monthly visits by SMS to each block .

A.6  Community Organization:

As discussed earlier farmers would be organized into formal and informal groups. If would be essential to organize only those interested farmers who are motivated to work as a group for performing a particular task which other wise is difficult on an individual basis. The initial field surveys of representative villages had indicated that farmers of same enterprises may organized for improving their marketing system and its problems. Milk producers, vegetable growing etc.

Further details about formalization of above groups at block/.district level have already been discussed. Besides, this it has been recognized that resource poor families specially farm women will be able to improve their farming systems on proper credit support. Thus, SHG, for women can be formed to these poor farm women needs.

Organization of community groups requires a special skill. Hence, it is proposed to invite experienced NGO for the purpose. It would, however, be essential that the field extension officers of development department are also involved in the activity so that it would be easy for them to work with these groups for extension activities regarding the concerned enterprise. Organization of groups would obviously require not only identification of members who have common interest and who are socially compatible but also building their skills on human aspects (group) work, leadership, organization of meetings) preparation of proceedings etc.) and also management aspect (survey of new markets, understanding of preference and perspective of consumers; organization of transport for collective marketing account keeping etc.)

B.  Assessment and Refinement of New Technology (Generation of Success Story):      

 In accordance to action plan, the following important

B1.    Monthly visits of scientist / SMS to concerned block/ Sub-division:

At present monthly visits are organized in such a way that extension persons from different levels in the district travel to a common place at district H.Q. or ZRS. to meet subject matter specialists and scientists. Now it is proposed that multidisciplinary team of scientists and SMS from KVK ,ZRS,etc. would travel to the revenue blocks to meet extension persons, NGO private sector, innovative farmers within the concerned blocks on monthly/bi-monthly basis to perform the following functions:

- Facilitating to preparation and implementation of annual work plan

- Refinement of technological package as per farming situation

- Approval of success stories for replication

- Supervision of trials/demonstrations

- Analysis of feed back

- Preliminary survey conduction regarding diffusion of new technology through PRA

- Diagnostic survey

These visits should be made for one week in each month during which-2 workshops of 3 days each be organized to cover 2- blocks. In each workshop participants from only one block belonging to all line departments, private sector, NGO, innovative farmers will participate. One of the three days may be set a parts for field visit to a demonstration trial or success story field. During alternate month remaining two block under NATP shall be covered. Hence in every block, such workshop be organized in alternate months.

B.2    Organization of adaptive trials / on farm research:

These trials would be carried out by using the funds provided under the project on latest findings evolved things public sector research. The new findings may emerged through private sector also be tested by scientists/SMS of ZRS. provided these findings are potential/relevant operational changes for conducting trials paid by concerned organization.

These trials may be organized, as far as, possible in villages located near ZRS. centre provided relevant farming situation is available. Frequent visits and technical management support during the trial year as well as following years (until the technology has been refined and become a success story) is crucial; and hence member of villages for trials could be limited and located nearby.

 Keeping the view of mandate and priority under the project these trials may be organized on following aspects.

B3.    Advisory Service on Diversification and Intensification of farming system:

Zonal Research station, BAU is well equipped with infrastructure facility and multidisciplinary team of scientists, needing further strengthening. The centre may play a leading role in diversification and intensification of farming system in the district in view of changing scenario in rural areas and also energizing new market opportunities in urban areas. Existing scientist of ZRS. are able to meet the technical requirement for new enterprises in the proposed farming system. Bur, at present, ZRS. do not have farm economist to provide farm management input for diversification and intensification of farming system.

 Thus, it may be appropriate to post the farm economist scientists/SMS at the earliest. Wherever, if it is difficult, agronomist may take the responsibilities. It is needless to mention that necessary farm management skill may have to be developed in the new person.

B4.   Re-synthesis of technological package as per farming situation of a particular crop / enterprises:

The existing technological package are generalized and no suiting to all different farming situations under which each commodity is managed. Refinement/re-synthesis of technological package for each farming situation can be appropriately developed through farmer participatory research. The concerned scientist of ZRS are the proper person for such assignments, which would be extended in monthly meetings at respective block levels. Each year one crop/commodity may be considered for this purpose by each scientist of ZRS. It needed, the activity on same commodity may continue for more than one year.

B5.    Survey for diffusion of new technology:

Till now, the focus had been on conducting the trials demonstration in farmers field and collecting the data with regard to their performance. It has been experienced that very often farmers do not continue even with those technologies which seem to full proven for good performance during the trial/demonstration phase. It indicates that there is some other person/social constraints which are beyond, the capacity of farmers or there are differences in perspectives of subject matter specialists and the farmers because of which even 'good' technology is not being continued. Survey during subsequent years should continue and should become an integral part of testing and refinement of technology so that scientists/SMS would continue to work with farmers during following years until the new technology has become a success story (being continued by them at their own cost).

B6.    Development of training materials:

The existing literature of technological aspects is designed essentially not improve knowledge base of the user which is able to serve the purpose of transferring those technologies for skill development. Self study literature for skill development needs to be written in different manner.  In this case more emphasis is to be given on "How to Do" a particular operation rather than "What to do ". Initial expenditure towards development of such a literature may be neoprene by the project where as duplicating costs for such literature may be borne by theater . In case of week user there would be reasons to critically examine th4e need based materials. Hence, such a mechanism of contribution by user shall keep the whole system more and more had based and cost effective. Preparation of video film on different aspects is worth while investment. It is, however, to recognize that video film should be made only on aspects of success story in the district or nearby areas. There video film may serve as a cost effective means of motivation of farmers particular in cases where success story is located at a far off place. It is needless to mention that these video films could be prepared through experienced person on job basis so that quality is maintained. A separate budget has been provided for this purpose.

B7.    Printing of training materials:

A very small financial provision is may for the purpose with a understanding that literature would be provided to only those persons who are willing to pay for it. Hence, initial investment for printing a limited stock is provided which is expected to be self supporting subsequently.

B8.    Farmers training for trainer-ship:

The scientists of Z .R .S. would be able to train limited number of farmers every year on production technology. It is important to organize these training to such a way that the farmers would not only learn new technology at the training center but also be able to practice them to their own fields during the same  year. For this purpose it is essential to identify interested farmers for training and also supply critical inputs as a parts of training programme. Towards the end of     season, successful farmers may be identified based upon their performance Afterward some of these farmers (who are willing to become trainers in future) may also be given training on communication method training methodology etc., so that efficacy of training would be high.

 ZRS. and MANAGE, has evolved a detailed methodology for conducting such training programme which involves initial exposure visits to success stories and continuous till farmers become trainers for replication of technology. The details about the methodology may be separately referred. 

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