Purbi Singhbhum district of Jharkhand was selected as ATMA district under extension reforms programmes Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. An autonomous institution registered under society act in the name of Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) to Carry out the project activities in collaboration with different line departments like Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries Plant protection along with the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, NGO and representative of various stoke Holder of the agriculture production system the strategic research and extension plan for Purbi Singhbhum was prepared fallowing the participatory methodology to reflected the issues needs and expectation of farming community .the main steps fallowed for preparation of Strategic Research and extension Plan (SREP) are as fallows.

The strategic research extension plan basically has two Sections namely “Diagnostic” section and ‘Strategic section’. The diagnostic section has two subsections namely information and analysis. In the information sub section, information from the different line departments gathered and recorded along with the detailed data of the representative village under each AES.

The whole process was carried out in steps as described in the following:-

Training:-

SAMETI in collaboration with MANAGE, Hyderabad organized a 5 days Master Trainers Training Programmed from 09th April 2007 – 13th April 2007 at SAMETI, Ranchi. In this training programmed following topics were covered:-

• Farming System Approach
• Participatory Rural Appraisal
• Farming Situation based extension etc.

Selection of Members

Selection of members of multi-disciplinary Team (MDT) of 40 officers representing different government department’s viz. Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Fishery, Horticulture and scientists from KVK, Bengabad was made to provide them basic training orientation about the concept of extension reforms for preparation of SREP.

Identification of representative villages for each AES

During the course of AES training, four major Agro-Ecological situations (AES) and representative villages based on various agro-ecological factors were identified.

Formation of Multi-Disciplinary Groups (MDG)

For each AES, Multi-Disciplinary groups comprising 7-8 members from different line departments, Scientists K.V.K., leading NGO were identified from trained AES team. These groups were given the task for collection of primary information from the representative village’s uses PRA tools and techniques for the preparation of SREP. The revised format for the collection of field data through participatory method was also given to each AES team members

Role SAMETI Jharkhand in Preparation of the SREP SAMETI

Jharkhand provided technical backup and support to the project, state level and capacity building for stakeholders of ATMA district in particulars. Faculty members of SAMETI, Jharkhand and MANAGE, Hyderabad did the necessary training for development of SREP. The views, suggestions and guideline of the state level SREP Coordinator & Director, SAMETI, National Consultant of MANAGE and state Nodal officer (ATMA Schemes), Jharkhand were incorporated at various stages for the final output. The constant efforts put forth by the Faculty Members and facilitator of SAMETI, Jharkhand, Programme Co-ordinator & scientists of “Krishi Vigyan Kendra” of the district and the DC-Cum Chairman, Vice Chairman & Project Director of ATMA have been a source of inspiration in preparation of SREP

Selection of members for Core Group

Representatives of different Government Development like Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Dairy, Fishery, Co-operative and Scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bengabad, Purbi Singhbhum were selected as Core Team member .The selection was done to provide them with basic training/orientation about the Extension reforms for preparation of SREP.

Approval of SREP

After thorough scrutiny by the ATMA Governing Board with constituent official and farmer members, the SREP is submitted for approval as an authenticated 0plan document. This document forms the basis for agricultural development in the district. Further, it helps ATMA to put forth its demand before the Government of India for release of funds.