Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA)

Brief
 ATMA serves as the focal point for integrating research and extension activities, linking line departments (Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, etc.), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), NGOs, and farmers. It promotes a bottom-up planning approach to agricultural development

 Objectives
- Strengthen research-extension-farmer linkages
- Provide a mechanism for coordination and management of technology adaptation/validation at the district level
- Increase farmer participation in planning and implementing extension programs
- Encourage partnerships with private institutions, NGOs, and Farmers’ Interest Groups (FIGs)
- Address gender needs by prioritizing participation for women farmers (at least 30%)

 Eligibility Criteria
- Individual farmers (with preference for small/marginal, women, and SC/ST farmers) - Farmers’ Interest Groups (FIGs) and Commodity Interest Groups (CIGs) - Farmers Producer Organizations (FPOs) - Applicants should generally not be a bank defaulter or a government servant (specific state norms may apply)

 Benefits
- Capacity Building: Training programs, workshops, and skill development
- Exposure Visits: Opportunities for farmers to visit successful agricultural models/research institutes
- Demonstrations: On-farm demonstrations of new technologies
- Financial Assistance: Seed money/revolving funds for farmer groups
- Awards: Rewards and incentives for best-performing farmers and groups
- Farm Schools: Farmer-to-farmer extension at the block level