Director's Message

ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Jodhpur is mandated to coordinate & monitoring of technology application and frontline extension education programs and strengthening agricultural extension research and knowledge management in Rajasthan, Haryana and New Delhi. During last three years, ICAR-ATARI, Jodhpur. During the last three years (2014-15 to 2016-17), ICAR-ATARI, Jodhpur have conducted 1154 on-farm trails for appropriateness of the location specific technologies. Frontline demonstrations (67802) were also organised to show the production potentiality of promising technologies. Capacities of 5.11 lakh farmers and farm women have been developed through training programmes in diverse area of the agriculture. Extension personnel (0.21 lakh) were also upgraded technologically for efficient extension delivery in the field. Through organisation of extension activities, 4384 lakh farmers and farm women were involved. KVKs have also produced 5629.83 tonnes of seed, 119.24 lakh planting materials, and 41.42 lakh livestock strains and fingerlings. Through Kisan Mobile Advisory, 123.1 lakh farmers were covered. During these three years. 1.61 lakh soil and water samples were tested and analysed for the appropriate recommendation to the farmers.

Agriculture is highly uncertain business where many production as well as other constraints prevails. ICAR-ATARI, Jodhpur is working hard to address these challenges through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs). The past strategies of agricultural development in India did not explicitly recognise the need to raise farmers’ income and did not mention any direct measure to promote farmers welfare. The experiences show that in some cases, growth in output brings similar increase in farmers’ income but in many instances farmers income did not grow much with increase in output. The final result has been that farmers income remained low, which is evident from the incidence of poverty among farm households.

ICAR-ATARI, Jodhpur is implementing various research projects and centrally sponsored schemes in collaborative & participatory mode to achieve the farmer centric growth in agricultural and allied sectors through application of appropriate technologies in specific agro-ecosystem perspective. The flagship programmes like National Food Security Mission, National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm, Seed Hub, Integrated Farming System Models, Skill Development, Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav, Farmers FIRST, Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture, Tribal Sub Plan, etc. are the major initiatives in doubling the farmers’ income. Hence, role of KVKs functioning under ICAR-ATARI, Jodhpur is very critical. There is great need to work hard for organizing skill oriented training programmes & demonstrations in farmers’ field with appropriate convergence. The real convergence among all line departments will certainly lead for doubling the farmers’ income.

KVKs are actively involved for doubling farmers’ income by 2022. Various strategies & roadmaps have been prepared for benefit of different categories of farmers. Major thrust is being given on upliftment of economy of small and marginal category of farmers in holistic approach. Cost reduction, effective marketing and insurance, per drop more crop, convergence, integrated and holistic approach, science-led-demand driven approach, quality seeds, transform of agriculture into business models, build partnership to make farmers prosper, evolutionary and missionary approach, etc. are the major thrust areas for doubling farmers’ income.