The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the implementation of the National Mission on Agricultural Extension and Technology (NMAET) during the 12th Plan period. The extension of NMAET and its components will be expanded and up-scaled appropriately and implemented in a more coordinated and convergent manner. NMAET consists of 4 Sub Missions:
- Sub Mission on Agricultural Extension (SMAE)
- Sub-Mission on Seed and Planting Material (SMSP)
- Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)
- Sub Mission on Plant Protection and Plant Quarantine (SMPP)
Agricultural Technology, including the adoption/ promotion of critical inputs, and improved agronomic practices were being disseminated under 17 different schemes of the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation during the 11th Plan. The Modified Extension Reforms Scheme was introduced in 2010 with the objective of strengthening extension machinery and utilizing it for synergizing interventions under these schemes under the umbrella of the Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA).
The NMAET has been envisaged as the next step towards this objective through the amalgamation of these schemes.
Operational Guidelines : Click Here
Mass Media Support to Agriculture Extension
Over the last few years Mass Media has seen a phenomenal growth in this country both in terms of reach and advancements in technology. A concerted and well coordinated efforts is now being made to use the electronic media in the extension strategy. The existing infrastructure of Doorsarshan and All India Radio is being utilized to produce and transmit programmes covering wide spectrum of topics in agriculture and allied fields for bringing the latest information and knowledge to the farming community. The four components of the scheme on Mass Media Support to Agriculture Extension include:
- Narrowcasting using High! Low Power Transmitters of Doordarshan.
- Regional and National Agricultural programmes by Doordarshan in terrestrial more of transmission.
- Kisan Vani using FM Radioi Transmitters of AIR.
- Monitoring and Support activities.