The New Extension Reforms was initially taken up in three districts namely Mokokchung, Dimapur and Kohima and notified as ATMA districts in 2005-06.The new programme was implemented in a convergence manner by Agriculture as State Nodal Agency and line departments viz; Horticulture, Sericulture, Fisheries, Soil & S.C, Vet. & A.H and Land Resources.

 

Remaining 08 districts namely Mon, Tuensang, Wokha, Zunheboto, Phek, Kiphire, Longleng and Peren were subsequently notified as new ATMA districts during 2007-08 and become operational from 2008-09.

 

Significant impact of the extension programmes and notable changes in the working system in the manner of coordinated approach has been brought about in the last four years of implementation in old ATMA. This can be attributed to the fact that the BAP and DAP are being formulated through “bottom up approach” taking into consideration the block and district requirements through participation of all the stakeholders.

 

However, the Agri & Allied Departments still need to devote in a mission mode in order to allow the farmers to realize the objective of the programme and to fully utilize the component of activities for their benefit.

 

2. STATUS OF EXTENSION REFORMS IN 08 NEW DISTRICTS

 

Monthly Progress Report of the Project Directors of the New 8 (eight) ATMA districts are quite satisfactory that have positive indication of the new programme being appreciated by the farming communities.

 

However, short term and day long courses/trainings on ATMA & SREP are still required to be organized at suitable locations for the farmers and Agri & Allied officers at blocks, districts and State levels in order to orient the new district stakeholders to the Cafeteria of activities and the guidelines.

 

During 2008-09, orientations, demonstrations, field days, exposure trips and study tours of officers/functionaries within districts, interstate visits, within district exposures were prioritized and conducted. A three days state level Exhibition was organized at Kohima besides District Melas at Mon, Tuensang, Mokokchung and Dimapur respectively to coincide with the Republic Day 2009.

 

3. PROCESS FOLLOWED FOR PREPARATION OF SEWP

 

Biannual District Action Plan (DAP) were developed by PD, ATMA from the BAP's. The Plans were studied , edited and finalized by the SAMETI & SNO to develop bi-annual action plan 2009-11 taking into consideration the tentative allocation made by GOI, Ministry of Agriculture, Directorate of Extension for Nagaland for 2009-10.

 

The finalized SEWP 2009-10 printed and forwarded to Chairman, IDWG for approval and further submission to Government of India ,Ministry of Agriculture, Directorate of Extension.

 

4. CONSTRAINT

 

• Appointed PD, ATMA, Chairman GB, AMC, BTT conveners & members from Agri & Allied departments are frequently transferred out from the districts and new members require orientations which hamper ATMA activities.



• PD, ATMA /GB/AMC/BTT's are all part time workers, each official requires to implement departments' project first, which is another constraint to execute District Level Activities in time.



• Transportation and mobility to blocks and village areas are time consuming and expensive due to the poor infrastructure.

• Co-ordination weak at bureaucratic level and without firm directives the districts are affected.



• Frequent transferring PD, ATMA and Chairman of GB and also the Conveners & members of AMC and BTT creates some inconveniences in the districts, which hampers ATMA activities besides, new members require orientations and familiarization of the system.

In spite of the above constraints, I am quite pleased with all the district heads of Vet & A. Husbandry, Horticulture, Sericulture, Fisheries, Land Resources and Soil & W.C departments for their sincere effort to achieve and implement the ATMA programmes without fail. Finally, I would like to record my appreciation to Shri. T.V. Holo, Joint Director of Agriculture and Dr. (Mrs.) I. Amenla, Lady Training Officer for their excellent job of compilation.

 

 

Director of Agriculture
& State Nodal Officer
Nagaland: Kohima