Farm Sector Schemes

Scheme for "Capacity Building for Adoption of Technology (CAT)"
through Exposure visits and Training - Operational Guidelines         

Introduction :

Technological upgradation and innovation have been the hall mark of Indian agriculture.  NABARD has been in the forefront in facilitating and adoption of new technology by farmers/ entrepreneurs through various institutions/ agencies like banks, corporates, NGOs, SHG and Farmers' Clubs.  With a view to widen the horizon of new agro-technology, it was felt that traditional farmers may be motivated to adopt new technology by exposing them to innovative projects being implemented by various agencies in different parts of the country.  Accordingly, it has been decided that NABARD would extend 100% support towards the cost of such exposure visit of the farmers to enable them to adopt new technology.

1. Identification of project for exposure visit :

Regional Office may identify 8-10 innovative location specific projects for the purpose of exposure visit out of the undernoted four types of projects.  The selection of the project may be based on the priority accorded by NABARD in the State.  After firming up the project for the current year a copy may be forwarded to HO(DPD-FS) for information.  This list may be revised/ updated every year.

1. Two or three successful projects, implemented in the State with NABARD refinance support, which may be considered innovative and also potential for replication.  A broad list of indicative projects is furnished in Annexure.
2. Two successful projects i.e. (i) KfW-Wadi project being implemented in Gujarat and Maharashtra and (ii) EU-BAIF projects being implemented in 5 States i.e. Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Karnataka could be identified for such exposure visit.  RO may identify similar successful project on "Natural Resource Management" being implemented by other NGO in the State.
3. 2/3 successful matured watershed projects for the exposure visit of the farmers.
4. Any other innovative/ new technology recommended by Research Institutions or State Agriculture Universities or being implemented by Krishi Vigyan Kendras of the State.  New technology developed by individual, NGO or any other reputed institutions (like IIT, ICAR, CSIR, CFTRI, ICRISAT, RRLs, etc.) can also be considered by RO provided it can be replicated for wider use by farmers/ entrepreneurs.

2.  Eligibility of the Farmers :
All progressive farmers/ agri-entrepreneurs, who have availed or propose to avail farm loan from banks and are inclined to adopt new agro technology would be eligible for exposure visit.  Preference should be given to small, marginal and SC/ST farmers.

3.  Selection :
The selection of the farmers should be done by RO in consultation with DDM and other concerned agencies like NGO, Lead Bank, Government Department and Gram Panchayat. While selecting the farmers, effort should be made to select a homogenous group as far as possible.  Effort should be made to cover at least 10% of the selected farmers from Scheduled Tribes.

4. Programme Coverage :
The exposure visit programme may be Intra State or Inter State.  However, it may initially be confined to within the State. Visit to other States may selectively be considered depending on the necessity of the farmers for such exposure.

5.  Duration :
The duration of exposure visit may be for 2-3 days.

6. Eligible Institute for NABARD support :
NABARD may directly implement this programme or may extend financial support in the form of grant towards 100% of all expenditure to be incurred for such exposure visit.  The undernoted Institutions, who may act as a "Resource agency" either in the form of a "Service Provider" or as a "Technology provider", would be eligible for NABARD support.

1. NGOs
2. SHG
3. Farmers' Club
4. Krishi Vigyan Kendra
5. State Agriculture University
6. banks (CBs, RRBs, Co-op. Banks)
7. Corporate Body.

7.  Participation Fees :
With a view to select farmer/ entrepreneur, who are serious in adoption of innovative/ new technology, a token participation fee of Rs.100/- per participants may be levied by the service provider towards part of their compensation for their services.

8. Service Provider :
Any of the above noted organisation may act as service provider to help in selection of farmers, arranging the all logistic for the visit, escorting the farmers to the identified project area/ institution and also facilitate the farmers to understand the technology exposed to them.  The service provider is also to undertake the "Post follow-up" visit to the farmers to assess the level of adoption of the technology by the participants.

9. Technology Provider :
Technology provider may be any institutions like KVK, State Agricultural Universities, Bank, NGO, Individual, Corporate bodies or any other Institutes like IIT, ICAR, CSIR, ICRISAT etc.  Besides taking the farmers to the project area they should also provide the necessary technical inputs through a structured short duration training module for the visiting farmers.

10. Number of farmers to be exposed :
Each RO may organise exposure visit of about 100 farmers during the current year in batches.  Each batch should consist of about 15-20 farmers.

11. Broad estimated expenditure (for a batch of 20 farmers) :

The NGO (service provider) may be allowed to collect a participation fee not exceeding Rs.100/- per participant towards their Administrative charges.

12. Delegation of Power :
CGM/ Officer-in-Charge of the RO is delegated to sanction and release the fund towards this programme.  A need based flexible approach may be adopted by the CGM/OIC while sanctioning the programme.  However, the overall cost should not exceed Rs.3000/- per farmer. (Raised to Rs.5000/- per farmer, for inter-state visits vide IOM No.1511 dtd. 01 October 2005).

13. Release of fund to other organisation :
When the programme is implemented through other organisations, need based advance upto 70% may be considered.  The final settlement should be made on submission of original bill and voucher as per normal practice.

14. Feedback :
RO may devise suitable mechanism to obtain the feedback from farmers regarding the usefulness of this visit, their expectation and future planning.

15.  Monitoring & Review :

1. At RO level :
   
   The DDM and the Service Provider (NGO) involved in Exposure visit should undertake the follow-up visit to the farmers field to assess the Level of adoption of the technology after the exposure visit.  A compensation amount of Rs.2000/-, as provided in the budget estimates, may be provided to the NGO (Service Provider) on the receipt of a satisfactory report.
2. At HO level :
   
   
Regional Office may furnish a comprehensive statement to Head Office (DPD-FS) indicating (i) No. of farmer visited, (ii) Type of project visited, (iii) Expenditure incurred for each batch and (iv) Impact of the Exposure visit.  This statement may be furnished half yearly i.e. on 30 September and 31 March of every year.  HO would undertake a review based on the information received from ROs.

 

16.  Accounting :
The expenditure incurred for the programme maybe sourced from RPCF Fund and booked under "Expenditure from Interest on RPCF A/c"




ANNEXURE

List of few important technologies supported by NABARD

Agriculture :

• Cultivation of horticultural crops under controlled conditions (poly house)
• Micro irrigation system/ plasticulture in irrigation
• Vermicompost technology
• Biopesticides & Bio fertilizer
• Tissue culture for special crops
• Mushroom production under controlled condition
• Introduction of new medicinal and herbal crops [ Natural Dye Crops (Bixa) ]

Allied Activities :

• Frozen semen bank/ laboratory
• Calf rearing
• Poultry feed
• Crab culture/ fattening
• Paddy fish culture
• Fresh water prawn culture

Post Harvest/ Agro-processing :

• Pre-cooling and post harvest center
• Cold chain packaging
• Aseptic packing and processing
• Cryo technology
• Modern Abattoirs