Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) is a decentralized, participatory, and multi-agency technology dissemination institution established at the district level in India.
It is designed to integrate research and extension activities to support farming communities.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
ATMA was initially introduced on a pilot basis in 1998 under the Innovations in Technology Dissemination (ITD) component of the World Bank-funded National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP).
The pilot phase was implemented across 28 districts in 7 states: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Orissa, and Punjab.
Following the success of the pilot phase, the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, decided to expand the scheme.
In May 2005, the ATMA model was officially launched as a centrally sponsored scheme to cover all districts in India.
The scheme aimed to establish an ATMA in every district, creating a platform for farmers, NGOs, krishi vigyan kendras, and private sector players to participate in agricultural development.
This expansion changed the focus of Indian agricultural extension from a top-down approach to a bottom-up, demand-driven system.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The nationwide expansion of ATMA began in the year 200