Annual Report 2009-2010 - Department of Agriculture & Co-operation

Annual Report 2009-2010
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4.14 The mission aims at increasing the
production of rice, wheat, and pulses through area
expansion and productivity enhancement;
restoring soil fertility and productivity; creating
employment opportunities; and enhancing a farmlevel
economy to restore the confidence of
farmers of the targeted districts. The mission
endeavours to enhance the reach of proven
technologies and knowledge among the farmers
of those districts that have adequate infrastructure
for higher productivity with wider yield gaps.
4.15 The strategy is to enhance the reach of
proven and established technologies like quality
seeds of high yielding varieties and hybrids;
resource conservation and plant residue
management, like the system of rice
intensification, zero tillage, and rotavators, and
moisture saving devices; improved seeding in
mono and intercropping systems by using seed
drills, multi-crop planters; plant protection
measures such as knap-sack sprayers, power
weeders, conoweeders; Integrated
Management of Pests, nutrients, and weeds; and
capacity building of farmers through farmers’
field schools, publicity in print and electronic
media and exposure visits. The award for
performing districts and States is also inbuilt in
the Mission to motivate the field functionaries.
4.16 The beneficiaries of the mission include
small and marginal farmers, including women
farmers. The states have been advised to set
aside at least 30 per cent of the total allocation
for small and marginal farmers, including women
farmers. Progressive small and marginal farmers
are given preference for seed mini-kits and
demonstrations to create a more visible impact
of these technologies.
4.17 Innovative Methods Used: The NFSM is
promoting agricultural technology and best
practices that have been adopted by farmers.
For farmers of the NFSM districts, the technology
and related extension methodology has to be
adapted to address the various challenges posed
by the relative under-development of the rural
infrastructure, poverty, and under-performing
governance structures operating in these
districts.
4.18 The innovation of the mission lies in the
administration of the scheme in a way that
ensures the that the planned interventions reach
the beneficiaries at the village level. The mission
makes use of existing institutions to carry out its
activities. It aims to strengthen the Agriculture
Technology Management Agency (ATMA), an
autonomous body already in place with a
mandate to assign specific programmes to
various implementing agencies at the district
level.
4.19 The timely availability of funds is assured
through direct transfer to the designated
autonomous agencies at the state and the district
levels. Opportunities are created to leverage the
electronic interconnectivity of banks to analyse
transactions of the district agencies on the basis
of real time data.
4.20 The evolution of detailed technical
guidelines, preparation of handbooks, and
standard reporting and monitoring formats with
established methodology and periodicity for
systematic reviews have been planned at the
national level.
4.21 For each of the identified activities in the
agenda for different programmes, institutional
support is enlisted. This arrangement ensures a
two-way flow of ideas to harmonise programme
design as per implementation imperatives and
vice versa. An annual calendar of events has been
drawn up to mainstream the action points arising
from regular interaction with the institutions
assigned for different activities.
4.22 Districts are provided with 10 per cent of
the mission funds for taking up local initiatives
to supplement the other programmes as per the
felt needs of the area. Pilot projects have been
provided to promote innovation in programme