Revised ATMA Scheme during 11th Plan - Directorate of Extension

fe-la@F.No. 9 - 4/ 2008-AE
Hkkjr ljdkj@Government of India
d`f"k ea=ky;@Ministry of Agriculture
d`f"k ,oa lgdkfjrk foHkkx@Department of Agriculture & Cooperation
foLrkj lq?kkj bZdkbZ@Extension Reforms Unit
To
All APCs/ Pr. Secretary/ Secretary (Agri.)
of all States/ UTs.
d`f"k Hkou@Krishi Bhawan
ubZ fnYyh@New Delhi - 110 001
fnukad@Dated, the 16 th April, 2010
Subject:
Implementation of Revised ATMA Scheme during 11 th
Plan.
Sir / Madam,
The Government of India has revised the on-going Centrally Sponsored
Scheme “Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms” currently
operational in 591 districts of 29 States and 2 UTs.
2. Realizing the challenges posed by temporal & spatial variability of climate, the
Revised Scheme attempts to overcome the systemic constraints being faced by the
Extension System in the country with regard to:
(i) Lack of qualified manpower support at all levels – State, District & Block level;
(ii) Absence of formal mechanism to support extension delivery below the Block
level;
(iii) Inadequate infrastructure support at State Agricultural Management &
Extension Training Institutes (SAMETIs);
(iv) Lack of convergence with other schemes of Centre and State; and
(v) Limited support for connectivity & mobility.
3. The Revised ATMA Cafeteria now contains few additional / new activities
and enhanced unit costs in some other cases (as reflected in the Revised ATMA
Cafeteria given at Annexure-I of this letter with changes indicated in bold and
italics).
The States are requested to implement the provisions of the Revised
Scheme. The important/ new components have been explained below:
(i)
Specialist & Functionary Support:
(a)
State Level
Posts State HQ. SAMETI Total
State Director Dy. Accountant Computer
Blocks Coordinator
Director / Clerk Programmer
< 100 1 1 4 1 1 8
100 – 400 1 1 8 1 1 12
> 400 1 1 12 1 1 16
R e v i s e d A T M A S c h e m e 2 0 1 0 - 1 1 Page 1

(b) District & Block Level:
In addition to the support at the State level, the Government of India will also
assist the State Governments in providing 5 personnel at District level and 3
personnel at Block level as per the details given at Annexure II of this letter.
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
Innovative Support through a Farmer Friend at Village Level: The
support for One Farmer Friend (FF) for every 2 Census Villages is to be
provided. A Farmer Friend will be a progressive farmer who will lead by
example and guide by being a technically proficient practitioner, would
activate bottom up planning and serve as vital link between extension system
and farmers at the village level. The Farmer Friend (FF) will not be given
regular/fixed emoluments but would be provided support of Rs. 4000 per
annum (to be shared between Centre & State in the ratio of 50:50) to meet
contingency expenditure in disseminating information & knowledge. The FF
will be engaged by Block Technology Manager on the advice of Gram
Panchayat which will in-turn consult Farmer Interest Groups working in the
Panchayat area.
Support to SAMETIs for Creating Essential Infrastructure: One time
support @ Rs.0.75 crore, Rs.1.0 crore and Rs. 1.25 crore for states having less
than 100 blocks; 100-400 blocks and more than 400 blocks respectively shall
be provided to meet capital expenses related to civil/ electrical works and
other necessary infrastructure in the SAMETIs. However, no new vehicles
shall be purchased in SAMETIs. Sufficient funds have been provided under
operational expenses/ vehicle hiring/ POL to hire a vehicle on regular/
temporary basis and to purchase POL for vehicles already available.
Delegation of Powers to State Level Sanctioning Committees: The SLSC
set up under RKVY shall now approve the State Extension Work Plan (SEWP)
prepared under ATMA Scheme. With the modified Scheme, there should be
enhanced focus on achieving necessary convergence and linkages with
Research System, other Development Departments and Non-Governmental
Sector.
4. ALLOCATION CRITERIA AND CENTRE–STATE SHARE: Financial
allocations to the States will be in proportion to the number of blocks being covered.
The funding support under the Revised Scheme shall continue to be in the
ratio of 90:10 (Centre : State) for all components except Farmer Friend where
it will be in 50:50 ratio between Centre and State.
R e v i s e d A T M A S c h e m e 2 0 1 0 - 1 1 Page 2

5. COVERAGE DURING 2010-11: The States must get at least 50% of the
staff deployed at various levels during the current financial year. Similarly, 50%
of the target figure for Farmer Friends (i.e. equal to 25% of the number of census
villages in your state) needs to be achieved during the year. Other activities can be
undertaken as per your plan.
6. CONVERGENCE OF EXTENSION WORK: After provision of specialist and
functionary support as referred to in item no. 3 (i) (a & b) above, it is expected that
there is convergence & synergy in extension related work being performed by
these newly appointed functionaries and consultants / field workers already
engaged under NFSM, NHM, RKVY, National Project on Monitoring Soil Health
& Fertility etc. This will help achieving complimentarity, eliminate duplication
of efforts & resources and avoid cases of multiple benefits to the same farmers.
Besides this, ATMA will also look after the work related to the above Schemes as
mandated in their respective Guidelines.
7. EXTENT OF COVERAGE: The modified scheme shall be implemented in all
rural districts of the country except 12 districts of Assam which are presently
covered under World Bank assistance. These districts will also be covered after
withdrawal of the external support.
8. INCENTIVE TO STATES FOR BETTER PERFORMANCE: The existing
practice of getting a bigger shelf of projects/ activities prepared with almost double
the tentative allocations conveyed to the States in the beginning of the financial year
will continue as such to allow better performing States to get additional resources
(over and above their tentative allocation).
9. GUIDELINES: While detailed Guidelines for implementation of the Revised
Scheme are being issued separately, the States are requested to quickly
prepare/revisit (if Work Plan already prepared) their Work Plans for 2010-11 as per
the tentative allocation conveyed to them vide our letter no. 9(3)/2009-AE dated
April 6, 2010. This may be done in accordance with the gist of Revised Scheme
given above and sent to this Department for comments before seeking necessary
approval of the SLSC. A copy of the approved Work Plan may be finally sent to us for
our reference/ record.
Yours faithfully,
Encl: As above.
(Sanjeev Gupta)
Joint Secretary (Extn.)
R e v i s e d A T M A S c h e m e 2 0 1 0 - 1 1 Page 3

Note:
Newly included/ modified items in the Cafeteria are given in Bold and Italics.
ANNEXURE – I (ATMA CAFETERIA 8.1)
LIST OF ACTIVITIES ELIGIBLE UNDER THE SCHEME ‘ SUPPORT TO STATE EXTENSION
PROGRAMMES FOR EXTENSION REFORMS’ AND ASSOCIATED COST CEILINGS/ NORMS
A. STATE LEVEL ACTIVITIES
(Amount Rs. In Lakhs)
S. INDICATIVE ACTIVITIES TO BE
COST NORMS
REMARKS
No. TAKEN
Unit Ceiling on Unit Proposed Ceiling for Activity
Cost Norms
1 2 3 4 5 6
A.1 Monitoring & evaluation
(a) Supporting State M & E Unit Per M & E unit. 2.00 2.00 One Time
- Providing computer infrastructure including
systems up-gradation & connectivity.
(b) Quarterly review workshops and R-E
Interfaces (pre-seasonal).
Per workshop/
Interface
0.50 2.00 Max. 4 Workshops
(c) Third party Monitoring & Evaluation. Annually Up to 20.00 • 10.00 Lakh for states below
100 blocks
• 15.00 Lakh for states with
100 to 400 blocks
• 20.00 Lakh for states with
over 400 blocks
(d) Expenses for Inter Departmental
Working Group on extension reforms and
other contingencies including
Operational support TA/ DA, hiring of
vehicle/POL, and contingencies for SNO
Per year Up to 6.00 • 2.00 Lakh for states below
100 blocks
• 4.00 Lakh for states with
100 to 400 blocks
• 6.00 Lakh for states with
over 400 blocks
•
(e) State Coordinator Per month 0.20 2.40 Annually To support for one
Coordinator per
state.

A.2 Training courses – National/ Inter State /
within the state (SAMETI) level – fee for
IGNOU courses – Both Govt. & Non-Govt.
extension functionaries (including NGOs, para
extension workers, entrepreneurs, agri-clinics,
agri-business centres, input suppliers,
corporates Farmer Friends, SMSs BTM,
Project Director, Dy. Project Director, Director
SAMETI & Faculty of SAMETI etc.)
A.3 Exposure visit of extension functionaries to
progressive states (A group of minimum 5
participants).
A.4 Organization of state level exhibitions/ kisan
melas/ fruit/ vegetable shows etc.
A.5 Krishi Expo and Regional Fairs
Participation in Krishi Expo organized
by DAC.
Participation in Regional Fair
supported by DAC.
A.6 Rewards & incentives -
Award for best performing district ATMA
A.7 Farmer Awards – Best farmers representing
different enterprises.
State level
District level
A.8 Upgrading and restructuring of apex State
level training institutions for greater
autonomy/ private initiatives to respond to
changing requirements as a State
Agricultural Management and Extension
Training Institute (SAMETI)
Per participant Per
day
Per participant per
day
0.015 TA/ DA Avg. 1.50 per block • Avg. 5
functionaries per
block
• Maximum period
not to exceed 20
days
0.01 TA/ DA Avg. 0.50 per block • Avg. 5 functionaries
per block
• Maximum period
not to exceed 10
days excluding
journey time
Per year 5.00
Per State 1.00 1.00
Annually per
district
per year per
farmer
per year per
farmer
0.50 0.50
1.00 1.00
0.50
0.25
5.00 per state
2.50 per district
10 farmers per
state
10 farmers per
district.
| Revised ATMA Scheme 2010-
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Recurring
Specialist and Functionary Support per year per block 0.117
Avg. 0.260 per block
a) Faculty in the thrust areas of HRD,
- - -
Management training, participatory
methods, Communication, IT & Support
staff
(b) Operational expenses Per year - Avg. 0.14 per block with a
minimum of 9.00 per SAMETI
(c) Documentation of success stories etc. Per year - 3.00
(preparation and dissemination).
(d) Vehicle hiring and POL Per year 3.00
Non – Recurring -
(e) Equipment One time - 6.00
(f) One time grant for Infrastructure
Support/ building / maintenance &
furnishing of training halls
One time • Rs. 0.75 crore for less
than 100 blocks
• of Rs. 1.0 crore with 100-
400 blocks
• Rs. 1.25 crore with more
than 400 blocks.
B. FARMER ORIENTED ACTIVITIES
S. INDICATIVE ACTIVITIES TO BE
COST NORMS
REMARKS
NO.
TAKEN
Unit
Ceiling of Cost
Norms (Max.)
Proposed ceiling for
activity
1 2 3 4 5 6
B.1 Developing Strategic Research & Per district 2.50 2.50 per district One time
Extension Plan (SREP)
B.2 Training of farmers for maximum period
of 21 days.
a) Inter-State Per farmer per day 0.01 Avg. 0.50 per block Avg. 50 farmers days
per block
b) Within State Per farmer per day 0.0075 Avg. 0.75 per block Avg. 100 farmers
days per block
| Revised ATMA Scheme 2010-
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c) Within district level Per farmer per day 0.004 Avg. 4.00 per block -Avg.1000 farmers
days per block
- Cost norms are
inclusive of travel cost
by bus or second
class sleeper.
B.3 Organizing demonstrations
a) Demonstration (Agri.) Per demonstration 0.04 per demo* of 0.4
ha.
Avg. 5.00 per block - Avg. 125
demonstrations per
block
2.00 per block - Avg. 50
demonstrations per
block
Per demo 0.015 1.875 per block - Avg. 6 visit of 50
farmers
at
demonstration plot/
site
b) Demonstration (allied sector) Per demonstration 0.04 per demo for
allied sectors
c) Farmer to farmer Technology
Dissemination at demonstration plot
B.4 Exposure visit of farmers – maximum
duration of 10 days excluding travel time
• Inter State
Per participants per
day
0.006 Avg. 0.3 per block Avg. 5 farmer per
block for 10 days.
• Within the State 0.003 Avg. 0.75 per block Avg. 25 farmer per
block for 10 days.
• Within District 0.0025 Avg. 0.25 per block Avg. 100 farmers per
block for one day.
B.5 Mobilization of farmer groups of different
types including Farmer Interest Groups,
Women Groups, Farmer Organizations,
Commodity Organizations, and Farmer
Cooperatives etc
a) Their capacity building, skill
development and support services
Per group/ per year 0.05 5.00 per district
including 2.50 lakh for
seed money
Avg. 20 groups per
block
| Revised ATMA Scheme 2010-
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) Seed money /revolving fund Per group 0.10 Only on emerging/ high
value/ high yield gap/
problematic crops/
areas preferably on
cluster basis.
B.6 Rewards and incentives – Per year per group 0.20 1.00 per district Max. for 5 groups in a
- Best organized group representing
different enterprises (5 groups)
district.
B.7 Farmer Awards – best farmers
representing different enterprises.
Block Level
II. Farm Information dissemination
B.8 District level exhibitions, kisan melas,
fruits/ vegetable shows.
B.9 Information dissemination through
printed leaflets etc and local
advertisements.
B.10 Development of technology packages on
electronic form to be shared through IT
network.
Per year per farmer 0.10 0.50 per block 5 farmers per block.
Per district 4.00 per district
Per district - 4.00 per district Minimum 25%
allocations are to be
used for publicity of
KCC & other Govt.
Schemes.
Per package
III. Agricultural Technology Refinement, Validation and Adoption
0.20 (Cost of
production of one CD)
2.00 per district For production of max.
10 CDs.
B.11 (i)Farmer Scientist Interactions at district
level 25 farmers for 2 days.
(ii) Designate expert support from
SAU / KVK at district level.
B.12 Organization of field days and kisan
gosthis to strengthen research –
extension – farmer linkages (1 per block
in each season).
Per interaction 0.20 0.40 per district For 2 interactions/ year
per month per
district
0.02 0.24 per district SAUS / KVKs have to
designate expert
incharge of district.
The support includes
that of Mobile Phone
Per programme 0.15 0.30 per block For Max. Two Sessions
in a year.
Per Block
| Revised ATMA Scheme 2010-
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B.13 Assessment, refinement, validation and
adoption of frontline technologies and
other short term researchable issues
through KVKs and other local research
centres.
Per district
As per the assessment
of KVK/ Local research
center
5.00 per district
IV. Administrative / Capital expenses
B.14 Establishment of ATMA like institutions
Recurring 16.56 per annum per
(i) Specialist and Functionary
per district 16.56 per district
district
Support
(ii) TA/ DA and Operational expenses
for district level
Per district - 6.50
To support 5
Specialists &
Functionaries in
ATMA.
(iii) Hiring of vehicles and POL
(iv) Operational Expenses exclusively
for block level (Including Hiring of
vehicles and POL)
(v) Support at Block level - Block
Technology Manager (BTM)
Per district
-
1.50
Per Blocks
-
0.30 per Block
Per Block 0.15 per month 1.80/ block Annually
This includes TA/ DA
and other operational
expenses for FAC.
(vi) Operational Expenses for BTM Per Block 0.05/ block per month 0.60/ year per block
(vii) Specialist Support at Block level
(SMS)
Per Block per
person per month
0.05 0.60/ year
(viii) Operational Expenses for SMS at
Block level (including mobility in the
field, mobile connectivity and other
expenses).
Non – Recurring
Per Block per
person per month
0.035 0.42
♦ Equipment -do- - 4.00
♦ Civil Works and Re–furbishing
of ATMA office
-do- - 2.00
| Revised ATMA Scheme 2010-
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B.15 Establishment of block level Farm
Information and Advisory Centres
(FIACs) – providing IT applications for
effective connectivity.
Per Block 1.30 1.3 per district
[Maximum 10% of
blocks or 2 whichever
is less]
For new districts @ 1
block/ district.
B.16 Farm School Rs. 50,414 per Farm
School (Concept and
item- wise Cost Ceiling/
Norm is given at
Appendix).
1.50 per block Average 3 F.S. per
block.
The distribution of resources for different activities to be taken up at District level from the given Cafeteria hereunder shall be as per the
following broad categories:
♦ Farmer oriented activities(B.1-7;
- 55%
B.15 & B.16)
♦ Farm Information dissemination
- 10%
(B.8-10)
♦ R-E-F Linkages (B.11-13) - 7%
♦ Administrative expenses (recurring)
- 28%
(B.14)
TOTAL : - 100%
C. INNOVATIVE ACTIVITIES – STATE LEVEL
C.1 Implementation of Extension Activities
through Agri-Entrepreneurs trained under
Agri-Clinic scheme.
To be approved by IDWG.
As per norms
approved in the
Cafeteria.
No. of ATMA blocks X
0.25
C.2 PG Diploma in Agricultural Extension
Management through MANAGE
0.15 per beneficiary Average 0.375
per block
No. of ATMA blocks X
0.375
D. INNOVATIVE ACTIVITIES
– DISTRICT LEVEL
D.1 Support for district level Training Institutions
– It may include both “Operational
Expenses” and “Non-Recurring
Expenditure”.
One Institutions per ATMA
district
5.00
per district
| Revised ATMA Scheme 2010-
10

D.2 (i)Setting up CRS
(ii) Content Creation
a) Ist Year for two hrs. of daily programme
i.e. 730 hrs/ year
b) 2 nd year for one & half hr. of daily prog.
i.e. 540 hrs/year
c) 3 rd year for ½ hr. of daily prog.
i.e. 183 hrs/year
One CRS per district Rs. 14,55,000/-
Rs.17,15,500/-
Rs. 12,87,800/-
Rs.4,30,050/-
54.00 per state
D.3 Farmer Friend One FF/ 2 Village 0.005/ FF per
month
E. OTHER INNOVATIVE ACTIVITIES
0.06 FF/ Year
E.1 Innovative activities – State component 25.00 per state To be approved by
IDWG.
E.2 Innovative activities – District component Avg. 0.5 per block To be recommended by
ATMA & approved by
IDWG
NOTE:
1) Programmatic funds should be spent on rainfed areas at least in proportion to the extent of rainfed areas in the district.
2) Minimum 10% of Beneficiary Contribution should be calculated on sum of the four activities aggregated at state level namely – Farmers’ Training (B-
2); Demonstration (B-3); Exposure Visits (B-4) and Capacity Building of farmers groups (B-5) listed in the Cafeteria. However, the beneficiary
contribution in respect of SC, ST, Women beneficiaries as well as for beneficiaries belonging to North Eastern and Hilly States has been
reduced from 10 to 5 percent.
3) Minimum 30% of resources meant for programmes and activities are allocated for women farmers and extension functionaries.
4) Minimum 10% of the allocation on recurring activities at district level is used through non-governmental sector viz. NGOs, FOs, PRIs,
cooperatives, para-extension workers, agri-preneurs, input suppliers, corporate sector etc. and these agencies will be eligible for a service charge
up to maximum of 10%.
5) Cost norms and ceiling proposed above may be exceeded by 10% of the limits given above in exceptional circumstances.
6) Any deviation over and above the limits given in the previous para and any new activity not mentioned in the above cafeteria could be taken up by
the States with prior approval of DAC.
| Revised ATMA Scheme 2010-
11

7) No expenditure shall be incurred from extension work plan allocation on in-eligible items. In the event of any such expenditure, the in-eligible
expenses shall be deducted from the State’s next year’s allocation.
8) Under District Level Activities resources for different activities are prescribed with ceilings viz. Farmer Oriented Activities (55%), Farm Information
Dissemination (10%), R-E-F Linkages (7%) and Administrative Expenses (28%). Funds from last three activities could be diverted to the first
category of Farmer-Oriented Activities.
9) Operational Expenses in Serial No. A.8 (b) under State Level Activities, Serial No. B.14 of District and block level Activities and Serial No. D.1 of
Innovative Activities includes technical assistance, consultancies, special studies, workshops, library, internet, telephone and other contingencies.
The O.E. at Item (iv) of B.14 may accommodate support for FIAC meetings. The operational cost under B.14 for block level also includes
cost for hiring of vehicles and POL.
10) The cost norms for operationalization of Farm Schools are appended. If the Farm School are run by Non Government sector, they would be eligible
for service charges as per approved norms.
11) The contractual staff, to be engaged, should be strictly through a placement agency. Maximum number of full time regular/ contractual staff to be
engaged by SAMETI & ATMA shall not exceed nine and seven respectively except for SAMETI of those States having 100 - 400 blocks & 400
where staff could be 13 and SAMETI of those States having more than 400 blocks where staff could be 17. Similarly, maximum number of
specialist & Functionary support to be given at State level (one coordinator), Block level (One Block Technology Manager) at village level (one
Farmer Friend).
12) For demonstration, training and Exposure Visits, the details of items of expenditure and related costs would be as approved under an appropriate
scheme of the Central/ State Govt. Otherwise, prior approval would have to be obtained from IDWG.
13) The “Extension Work Plan involving the non-governmental sector implementing agencies may be prepared at the State level at the discretion of the
Chairman, IDWG, without having to obtain recommendation of the BTT/FAC and approval of ATMA, GB concerned. After SEWP has been
approved by the DAC, State functionaries shall facilitate necessary coordination between the non-governmental partner and ATMA institutions at the
district level so that approved activities are implemented expeditiously. Funds to non-governmental sector partner may also be released at the State
level, at the discretion of the Chairman, IDWG. Necessary funds for the purpose may also be retained at the State level.
14) The Ceilings under B.8, 9 & 10 has been enhanced to Rs.4, 4 and 2 lakh respectively to facilitate the State govt. to organize Agriculture and Farmer
Development Workshops & Exhibitions.
| Revised ATMA Scheme 2010-
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Abstract of Number of Posts, Remuneration and Eligibility
Annexure – II
Level Designation No. of
Posts
Suggested
Mode of
Recruitment
Pay Scale/
Remuneration
as per VI Pay
Commission
State Coordinator * 1 Contractual Consolidated
Rs.30,000 p.m.
SAMETI Director 1 Deputation/
Secondment/
Appointment
Deputy
Director
**

Computer Programmer 1 Contractual Consolidated
Rs.12,000 P.M.
Block Block Technology Manager 1 Contractual Consolidated
Rs.20,000 p.m.*
Subject Matter Specialist 2 Contractual Consolidated
Rs.8,500 p.m.*
B.Tech/MCA
Graduate/ Post Graduate in
Agri./ Allied Sector with
computer skill
Graduate/ PG in Agri./ Horti./
Economics/ Marketing/
Veterinary Sciences/ AHD/
Fisheries
1 year experience
Minimum 2 years field
experience in Agri.
Related activities.
* As per Cafeteria Item Nos. B.14 (v) to (viii) above while mobility & connectivity are to be ensured, no
separate vouchers are to be insisted upon for payment of item nos. (vi) & (viii) of B.14.
** 4 Deputy Directors/ Faculty are proposed to be in the area of Agriculture Extension Management, Human
Resource Development, Information Technology & Marketing/ Post Harvest Technology. Additional /
alternative areas of specialization can be included or number of experts for certain areas of specialization may
be increased (in case of bigger States having 12 to 16 functionaries) or the State may take any other
administratively pragmatic decision in this regard to meet the objectives of the Scheme subject to overall
ceilings.
Note 1: The positions of Coordinators at State & Block level (Block Technology Manager) and Supporting Staff viz.
Computer Programmer both at State & District level & Subject Matter Specialist at Block level may be
preferably engaged on contractual basis through an Agency identified by the State as per the due procedure.
Note2: All posts other than the 5 posts to be filled on contractual basis as per Note 1 above, may be filled by
deputation/ secondment/ appointment for the scheme period or such other mode as the State Government
may deem appropriate.
--
| Revised ATMA Scheme 2010-
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