ATMA Scheme: Objectives, Structure, Funding Pattern, Benefits

The Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Scheme is one of the most important government initiatives for empowering Indian farmers. It operates at the district level, focusing on technology dissemination, training, demonstrations, and exposure visits to improve farmer skills and productivity. Currently implemented in over 690 districts across 28 states and 5 UTs in India.

It is a centrally sponsored scheme which was launched in the financial year 2005-06. In this comprehensive guide, we cover everything about the ATMA Scheme – its objectives, activities, funding pattern, eligibility, benefits, key components.

What is the Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Scheme?

The Agriculture Technology Management Agency, commonly known as ATMA. It was first pilot-tested under the World Bank-funded National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP) from 1998 to 2005 in seven states — Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Punjab. Currently, the scheme is being implemented as a component of the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Extension (SMAE).

ATMA Scheme Overview

Scheme Name	Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms (ATMA Scheme)
Full Form	Agriculture Technology Management Agency
Launched In	2005-06 (Pilot tested from 1998–2005)
Launched By	Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India
Scheme Type	Centrally Sponsored Scheme
Umbrella Scheme	Sub-Mission on Agricultural Extension (SMAE) under Krishonnati Yojana
Implementation Level	District Level (through ATMA societies)
Coverage	691 districts across 28 States and 5 UTs
Funding Pattern	90:10 (Centre:State) — 90% Central, 10% State
Nodal Agency	Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DACFW)
Official Website	krishivistar.gov.in / extensionreforms.dacnet.nic.in

ATMA is a registered society of key stakeholders — including farmers, government departments, research institutions, NGOs, and the private sector. The extension process includes activities such as farmers’ training, exposure visits, Kisan Mela, mobilization of farmer groups and setting up farm schools. The ATMA scheme is assisted by the central government with a funding of 90% from the centre and 10% from the state.

Namo Laxmi Yojana Registration, Eligibility, Check All Details

Key Activities Under the ATMA Scheme

The ATMA Scheme conducts a wide range of extension activities to transfer agricultural knowledge and technology to farmers.

Farmer Training: Training programs on modern farming techniques, organic farming, IPM, precision agriculture, etc. conducted at block and district level.

Farm Demonstrations: On-farm demonstrations showcasing benefits of new technologies, high-yield varieties, and improved practices.

Kisan Melas / Exhibitions: Large gatherings where farmers interact with scientists, access new technologies, and explore market linkages.

Mobilization of Farmer Groups: Formation and strengthening of FIGs, CIGs, and FPOs for collective bargaining and marketing

Eligibility Criteria

All farmers including small, marginal, women farmers and farmer groups. No direct application required; participation through district ATMA units. The ATMA empowers farmers and farm women groups.

Funding Pattern of the ATMA Scheme

The ATMA Scheme is funded as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme. The funding is shared between the Central Government and State Governments as follows:

Category	Central Share	State Share
General States	90%	10%
North Eastern & Hilly States	90%	10%

State/UT-wise Number of Farmers Trained Under ATMA Scheme (2021-22 to 2024-25)

No.	State/UT	2021-22	2022-23	2023-24	2024-25	Total
1	Andhra Pradesh	1,08,684	28,103	37,553	0	5,26,384
2	Bihar	3,46,308	3,95,982	5,74,595	1,55,888	17,93,740
3	Chhattisgarh	1,04,945	1,14,488	19,623	18,641	3,54,322
4	Goa	10,423	6,271	14,449	8,614	45,774
5	Gujarat	3,00,183	3,84,771	1,40,042	90,520	12,19,713
6	Haryana	47,504	50,606	25,320	5,674	1,71,522
7	Himachal Pradesh	31,860	15,784	42,925	8,399	1,22,539
8	Jammu & Kashmir	21,367	24,215	24,162	40,840	1,16,106
9	Jharkhand	40,373	44,912	40,447	23,133	2,17,636
10	Karnataka	1,20,270	2,60,928	1,40,256	14,372	7,07,043
11	Kerala	25,112	1,07,649	1,07,174	24,306	2,91,401
12	Maharashtra	3,00,551	4,36,346	4,56,013	1,14,446	15,27,101
13	Madhya Pradesh	51,269	1,86,507	3,75,572	49,490	7,39,903
14	Odisha	52,300	84,526	40,607	20,000	2,57,751
15	Punjab	74,724	73,614	64,048	58,218	3,13,483
16	Rajasthan	2,08,536	2,46,830	20,403	40,144	6,24,220
17	Telangana	13,843	4,260	311	0	46,149
18	Tamil Nadu	4,58,674	4,88,331	5,20,316	4,53,661	24,24,064
19	Uttar Pradesh	5,09,728	4,70,492	6,02,577	4,97,758	27,38,834
20	Uttarakhand	40,309	53,890	46,775	35,391	2,39,497
21	West Bengal	1,81,816	2,98,899	1,77,855	67,025	8,74,415
22	Assam	18,347	40,025	40,845	25,730	1,30,214
23	Arunachal Pradesh	1,18,463	56,682	23,000	0	2,52,120
24	Manipur	12,570	22,776	5,400	19,331	78,606
25	Meghalaya	15,406	16,265	30,585	21,903	97,037
26	Mizoram	3,460	7,440	3,558	1,600	20,838
27	Nagaland	1,800	58,588	41,571	7,780	1,74,633
28	Tripura	3,348	5,592	14,611	16,914	50,497
29	Sikkim	5,658	6,576	7,791	0	28,353
30	Delhi	200	5,500	0	0	5,900
31	Puducherry	1,792	7,146	10,837	2,663	26,572
32	Andaman & Nicobar	7,967	7,641	9,833	7,332	38,146
33	Ladakh	1,014	244	1,535	0	13,401
	Total	32,38,804	40,11,879	36,60,589	18,29,773	1,62,67,914

Role of SAMETI in the ATMA Scheme

The State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (SAMETI) is the state-level training institute set up under the ATMA framework. It conducts Training Need Assessments (TNA) for various cadres of agricultural and allied department officers. SAMETI also develops linkages with KVKs, State Agricultural Universities, EEIs, and MANAGE (National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management, Hyderabad).

How to Contact ATMA in Your District

Farmers who want to benefit from ATMA activities can connect through the following channels:

Block Level: Contact the Block Technology Manager (BTM) or Assistant Technology Manager (ATM) at your nearest block agriculture office.

Village Level: Reach out to the designated Farmer Friend in your village who serves as a link between you and the extension system.

District Level: Contact the Project Director, ATMA at the District Agriculture Office.

Online: Visit the official portal at krishivistar.gov.in or extensionreforms.dacnet.nic.in for information and updates.

ATMA stands for Agriculture Technology Management Agency. The ATMA Scheme was officially launched in 2005-06 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme. It aims to transfer the latest agricultural technologies and best practices to farmers.