Role performance of farmers interest group members in agricultural technology management agency activities

Introduction

Agriculture is one of the most important sectors of the Indian economy, contributing substantially to food security, employment and the livelihoods of rural households. The adoption of improved agricultural technologies depends considerably on the effectiveness of extension services. Agricultural extension serves as a link between research institutions and farmers by facilitating the dissemination of scientific knowledge, improved technologies and innovative practices. Strengthening extension systems is therefore essential for enhancing farm productivity, profitability and sustainable agricultural development.

To make agricultural extension more decentralized, demanddriven and farmer-oriented, the Government of India introduced the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) under the National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP) in 1998. ATMA is an autonomous district-level institution established to improve coordination among research institutions, extension agencies, farmers and other stakeholders. It promotes participatory planning and implementation of agricultural development programmes according to local needs. The ATMA approach was initially implemented on a pilot basis in 28 districts of seven states, including Maharashtra. In Maharashtra, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Ahilyanagar, Ratnagiri and Amravati were among the districts selected for pilot implementation. Following encouraging results, the approach was expanded nationwide and is now implemented in more than 700 districts, including all 34 districts of Maharashtra under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme, Support to State Extension Programs for Extension Reforms. ATMA is the institutional structure operates at district, block and village levels. At the district level, the Governing Board and Management Committee provide guidance, planning, coordination and monitoring. At the block level, the Farm Information and Advisory Centre functions through the Block Technology Team and Farmers Advisory Committee. The data presented in the table 1 findings about role performance of FIG members indicated that, preparing points to speak on issues was with three-fifth (60.00%) was agreed.

Another 30.00 per cent reported that, it was strongly agreed, while 10.00 per cent indicated that, they were undecided. Regarding discussing problems and solutions with scientists, www.extensionjournal.com a substantial majority (62.50%) reported that, it was agreed. In comparison, 20.83 per cent stated strongly agreed and 16.67 per cent indicated undecided. For continuously sending feedback to the ATMA office, majority (65.83%) reported that, it was agreed. Additionally, 25.00 per cent indicated strongly agreed, while 9.17 per cent stated undecided. With respect to giving feedback to the ATMA office about difficulties in adopting various technologies, majority (60.83%) indicated that, it was agreed. Furthermore, 24.16 per cent reported strongly agreed and 15.00 per cent indicated undecided. Similarly, attending training programme regularly was reported as agreed by more than half (56.67%) of the respondents. Another 24.16 per cent stated strongly agreed, 19.17 per cent indicated undecided. Regarding coordinating the efforts of the entire group, nearly two-third (63.33%) reported that, it was agreed. In addition, 28.33 per cent indicated strongly agreed, while 8.33 per cent were undecided.

Regarding providing information about responsibilities and roles within the farmer group, majority (61.67%) reported that, it was agreed. Another 25.00 per cent stated strongly agreed and 13.33 per cent indicated undecided. For expressing recognition and consent for the group's work, more than half (56.67%) reported that, it was agreed. Additionally, 27.50 per cent indicated strongly agreed, while 15.83 per cent stated undecided. With respect to assisting in finding the difficulties of the farmer group according to local conditions, majority (70.83%) indicated that, it was agreed. Furthermore, 17.50 per cent reported strongly agreed and 11.67 per cent indicated undecided. Regarding meeting ATMA scheme officers from time to time, more than half (52.50%) of the respondents reported that, it was agreed. Another 31.66 per cent stated strongly agreed, 15.83 per cent indicated undecided. Similarly, participating in planning and decision making related to group activities was reported as agreed by three-fifth (60.00%) of the respondents. In addition, 29.16 per cent indicated strongly agreed, while 10.83 per cent stated undecided. Regarding encouraging nonmembers to participate in ATMA programmes, more than two-third (66.67%) reported that, it was agreed. Another 25.00 per cent indicated strongly agreed and 8.33 per cent were undecided. For disseminating agricultural information among fellow farmers, nearly two-third (62.50%) reported that, it was agreed. Additionally, 26.66 per cent stated strongly agreed, while 10.83 per cent indicated undecided. Regarding encouraging collective purchase of agricultural inputs, three-fifth (60.00%) reported that, it was agreed. Furthermore, 19.16 per cent indicated strongly agreed and 20.83 per cent stated undecided. Finally, concerning encouraging farmers to use government agricultural schemes, more than half (56.67%) reported that, it was agreed. In addition, 14.16 per cent indicated strongly agreed, while 29.17 per cent were undecided. The data presented in the Table 2 indicated that, the majority (65.83%) of the respondents belonged to the medium level of role performance, followed by 18.34 per cent of the respondents who belonged to the high level of role performance. Whereas, 15.83 per cent of the respondents were found in the low level of role performance.

Constraints faced by Farmers Interest Group members in ATMA activities

Constraint refers as situation or circumstances which is responsible to restrict or limit the activity or a performance of an individual. In this study it operationalized as the items of difficulties experienced by the Farmers Interest Group members in ATMA activities. Agreements of each respondent against enumerated constraints were sum up separately and converted into percentage. The data presented in the Table 3 revealed that, (95.00%) of the respondents reported delay in receiving funds and subsidies under ATMA programmes as a major constraint, (86.67) of the respondents indicated that meetings should be conducted on farmers' fields. Further, (83.33%) reported that traditional farming practices were affected because of ATMA, while (81.67%) stated that engagement in farming practices was a constraint in participating in the programmes and activities of ATMA. (77.50) of the respondents reported that the frequency of meetings should be increased instead of six months under NARP. In addition, (72.50%) indicated that the technology provided by ATMA was expensive. (65.83%) reported differences in the information provided by government and non-government organizations, while (51.67%) stated that the information provided by ATMA was not suitable to their local culture, Whereas only (47.50%) reported that the cost of farming practices increased unnecessarily due to ATMA.

Conclusion

The study concluded that the majority of the respondents had a medium level of role performance in ATMA activities, followed by those with high level and low level of role performance. Thus, overall role performance level among the respondents was predominantly medium.

The study further concluded that respondents encountered several constraints while performing ATMA activities, participating in ATMA activities were delay in receiving funds and subsidies under ATMA programmes. Many of them stated that engagement in farming practices was a constraint in participating in the programmes and activities of ATMA.

References

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