In the inaugural session Dr. J. P. Mishra, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Zone-II, Jodhpur mentioned that the Tribal community is the most disadvantaged and focus should be given on output and outcome of the DAPST project and the same should be analysed and inferences drawn/meaningful recommendations from the same must be reported for further improvement and implementation.

Sufficient fund flow is there for the project and the same must be utilised keeping in view of value for money and there should be tangible outcome with betterment of livelihood of the community.

Case studies of the project must be documented, he added. He also applauded that SAUs/ICAR Institutes and KVKs should work in convergence mode for implementation of the project..

Dr. R. L. Soni, Director of Extension Education, MPUAT, Udaipur gave an overview of tribal community of the Country, State and Districts of Rajasthan by mentioning that there is a total of 10.4 crore tribal population in India which is about 8.6% of total population and in Rajasthan with tribal population of 92.38 lakhs (13.8%) with 5700 villages in 24 districts of Rajasthan.

He emphasised on preparation of Annual Action Plan 2025-26 as per needs of the districts of Rajasthan particularly on Southern districts of Rajasthan.

Dr. P. Pagaria, Director of Extension Education, AU, Jodhpur mentioned that the project should execute extension programmes as per emphasis of recommendations of Government of India.

In the Annual Review Meeting 24 KVKs and two Directors of Extension Education will present their progress made during 2023-24 & 2024-25 and annual action plan for the year 2025-26 which will be thoroughly discussed and finalized.

Source ICAR-ATARI, Zone-II, Jodhpur