A study on knowledge and attitude of farmer towards agriculture technology management agency in Prayagraj district

Introduction

The Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) is an autonomous organization initiated in 1999 by the Ministry of Agriculture, GOI under the National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP). Its objective is to integrate research and extension work with stakeholder support to enhance agriculture production, marketing access, capacity building, and farmer empowerment for sustainable agriculture development. ATMA adopts a holistic approach to agricultural development, aiming to improve efficiency and productivity, enhance farmers' income, and strengthen inter-linkages between stakeholders. The agency operates through a network of technology centers at district and block levels, providing technical know-how to farmers through demonstration sites, extension camps, and technical support from state-level experts. The initiatives undertaken by ATMA focus on providing tribal farmers with access to improved seed varieties, crop management technologies, improved agricultural techniques, and necessary support to efficiently use these resources. ATMA also provides training and extension activities at the grass-root level, focusing on skill development and proper resource management. The agency has been successful in creating health awareness, encouraging better agricultural practices, and improving the quality of life among tribal communities. It has also reduced poverty in rural areas, increased agriculture production, improved livelihoods of farmers, and reduced health risks associated with illiteracy.

Research Methodology

A present study used multi-stage sampling to select samples for a study. The districts was chosen through purposive sampling, with Prayagraj district being chosen due to ATMA's facilities for farmers. The blocks were chosen from Rajrooppur, Sirsa, Majhgawan, Sirauni, Rampur, Khaga, Handia, and Unchahar. The villages were chosen based on the maximum area covered under the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Programme. From each block, three villages were randomly selected, and from each village, five respondents were selected, constituting 120 respondents. The study also measured dependent and independent variables based on available literature and expert opinions in the field of extension.

Results and Discussion Knowledge Level of Respondents in ATMA Programme

This part of the chapter deals with impact of Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) programme on its respondent farmers in Prayagraj District of Uttar Pradesh. Knowledge as a body of understood information possessed by an individual is one of the important components of behavioural aspect. On this ground, it was realized imperative to examine the extent of knowledge of respondents about ATMA programme.

Distribution of respondent respondents according to their knowledge about ATMA programme in Prayagraj District

A study categorized respondents into low, medium, and high knowledge levels about ATMA programme, focusing on individual aspect-wise knowledge to identify areas of good knowledge and areas of lack, aiming to improve future focus. The ATMA (Agricultural Technology Management Agency) programme has significantly impacted its beneficiaries, encouraging the adoption of advanced agricultural practices, such as modern farming techniques and sustainable practices. This has led to increased productivity and efficiency in agricultural operations. The programme has also built participants' confidence through comprehensive training sessions, workshops, and hands-on demonstrations. The economic conditions of beneficiaries have improved, leading to higher yields and income. However, non-beneficiaries have shown lower awareness of advanced agricultural practices, limiting their potential for growth and adaptation in a competitive agricultural landscape. The ATMA programme contributes to a more resilient agricultural sector, enabling farmers to meet modern farming challenges and improve their livelihoods. The table 2 revealed that out of 60 respondent, (48.33%) showed medium knowledge status, (26.67%) of respondent indicated low knowledge status, whereas (25.00%) depicted high knowledge ATMA respondent who were beneficiaries.

Study also revealed that out of 60 respondents, (20.00%) showed medium knowledge status, (21.67%) of respondent indicated low knowledge status, whereas (58.33%) depicted high knowledge of non-beneficiary ATMA respondents. www.extensionjournal.com

Distribution of respondent respondents according to their Attitude about ATMA programme in Prayagraj District

To get an overview of the attitude level of respondents about ATMA programme, the respondents were categorized in to low, medium and high level of attitude group on the basis of calculated mean score and standard deviation. Individual aspect wise attitude of respondents was also worked out for drawing a picture about the areas where respondents had attitude and where they were lacking, so that areas where respondents had low level of attitude can be given more importance in future. The ATMA Programme has made significant strides in imparting knowledge and promoting advanced agricultural practices, leading to increased awareness and improved crop yields. However, the programme faces barriers such as limited publicity and implementation challenges. Many farmers, particularly in remote areas, remain unaware of the resources and support available. Implementation challenges include logistical issues, inadequate training for facilitators, and insufficient follow-up support. To improve the programme's impact, targeted marketing campaigns, community engagement, and partnerships with local organizations are needed. Addressing implementation challenges through better training, ongoing support, and streamlining logistical processes will ensure the knowledge is effectively translated into practice. A more inclusive and well-executed programme could lead to improved livelihoods, food security, and a more resilient agricultural sector. Table 4 shows that out of 60 respondents, (58.33%) had high attitude, (21.67%) had low attitude, (20.00%) had medium attitude of the ATMA respondent who were beneficiaries. Among the non-beneficiaries of ATMA respondents, (56.67%) had medium attitude, (20.00%) had low attitude, and (23.33%) had high attitude.

Conclusions

It has been concluded form the present study that, out of 60 beneficiary respondents, the majority demonstrated a medium level of knowledge, with some showing lower and others higher level of knowledge among the beneficiaries of ATMA. In comparison, 60 non-beneficiary respondents were more likely to exhibit a higher knowledge level, while others had medium or low knowledge. When analyzing attitudes, a significant portion of the beneficiary respondents displayed a strong positive attitude, while others had medium or lower attitudes. Among 60 non-beneficiaries, the majority had a medium attitude, with fewer respondents showing either low or high attitudes about ATM programme.

References

1. Ayenew W, Lakew T, Kristos EH. Agricultural technology adoption and its impact on smallholder farmer's welfare in Ethiopia. Afr J Agric Res. 2020 Mar;15(3):431-445. doi: 10.5897/AJAR2019.14302. ISSN: 1991-637X.
2. Chandra HSN, Kadian KS, Kale RB. Identifying the factors affecting coordination among different agencies with ATMA in Andhra Pradesh, India. Int J Curr Microbiol App Sci. 2017 Nov;6(11):890-899.
3. Dangore AP, Wakle PK, Raut AG. Constraints faced by agricultural technology school students in receiving knowledge and skills. Int J Curr Microbiol App Sci. 2020 Dec;9(12):282-285.
4. Yadav R, Kasana MK, Dave P. Impact of ATMA on enhancing socio-economic condition of small and marginal farmers in India. Int J Sci Res. 2018 Jun;7(6):1030-1038.