The need for reforms in Agricultural Extension has been explicitly raised in the National Agriculture policy.
Extension Reforms in India were pilot tested in 28 District of 7 States including Bihar under innovations in Technology Dissemination (ITD) components of world bank funded National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP) during the period from November, 1998 to April, 2005. This successful experiment served as a basis to launch the scheme "Support to State extension Programmes for extension Reforms" in its first phase since 2005-06 This scheme is now operational in 591 rural districts of the country.
On the basis of experience gained during the implementation of the extension reforms scheme from 2005-09 and after consulting the state governments the government of India has revised the ongoing centrally sponsored scheme "Support to state extension Programmes for extensions reforms" by modifying and strengthening the earlier scheme.
The revised scheme shall focus on the following key extension reforms as objectives of the scheme.
| 1. |
Providing innovative, restructured and autonomous institutions at the state/district/block level. |
| 2. |
Encouraging multi-agency extension strategies involving Public/Private Extension Service Providers. |
| 3. |
Ensuring an integrated, broad-based extension delivery mechanism consistent with farming system approach. |
| 4. |
Adopting group approach to extension in line with the identified needs and requirements of the farmers in the form of CIGs & FIGs |
| 5. |
Facilitating convergence of programmes in planning, execution and implementation. |
| 6. |
Addressing gender concerns by mobilizing farm women into groups and providing training to them. |
| 7. |
Moving towards sustainability of extension services through beneficiary contribution. |
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