The scheme was introduced with effect from the fourth quarter of 2007-08 under ATMA. A total of 78684 Farm Schools have been set up so far with about 18000 being added every year. Besides this, there are Farmer Field Schools (rechristened now) under National Food Security Mission, Plant Protection etc.

These Farm Schools serve as a mechanism for farmer-to-farmer extension at 3 or more locations in every Block. Complete information about these schools and farmers being trained on various critical stages of the subject are uploaded in the Electronic Monitoring System (EMS) developed by the Department of Electronics & Cooperation (DAC).

With the help of this simple and very intuitive USSD application, a farmer can easily extract details about various Farm Schools being run in his/her block. This will help him in planning his other activities.

More than 1,22,851 Farmer Friends (FF) have been identified by the States so far and this number is expected to touch 2.24 lacs by end of XII Plan. These FFs are involved in mobilizing farmers’ groups and facilitating dissemination of information to these groups, individual farmers and farm women through one to one interaction.

Each farmer friend is assigned more than one village. With the help of this USSD application farmers can find out details of Farmer Friend designated for their village.

Timely availability of correct fertilizer from the nearest dealer helps farmers in terms of time and cost savings. mFMS project of Department of Fertilizers, Government of India, aims to monitor the availability of fertilizers at various echelons from manufacturers to wholesalers and retailers.With the help of this USSD application farmers can find out details of various Fertilizer Dealers in their area, stock position of different products / Manufacturers and even prices. After dialing the requisite USSD service code, a farmer can easily drill down the easily comprehensible menu to the required information.

as the scientists are directly involved in planning, execution and monitoring of the demonstrations for the technologies developed by them and get direct feedback from the farmers’ field about the crops production in general and technology being demonstrated in particular. This enables the scientists to improvise upon the research programme accordingly. In FLDs, the subject matter scientists provide technological inputs to extension scientists to organize the demonstrations. Thus, FLDs provide an opportunity to researchers and extension personnel for understanding the farmer’s resources and requirement to fine tune and/or modify the technologies for easy adaptability at farmers’ fields. The FLDs are conducted by the ICAR/SAUs system but mainly by the Extension Machinery under ATMA.

Individual beneficiaries of demonstration plots within a Panchayat area and all farmer group beneficiaries are to be generally selected by the respective Gram Sabhas or Gram Panchayats in consultation with FIGs and FOs working in the area. Complete details including location, size, type of activity and availability dates of experts etc. about these Demonstration Plots are captured and uploaded in the Electronic Monitoring System (EMS) developed by DAC.

With the help of this USSD application, a farmer can easily find out details about FLDs being run in his area and benefit from the learnings being brought out.

The Mission is being continued during 12th Five Year Plan with new targets of additional production of 25 million tons of food grains. In addition the mission also aims at restoring soil fertility and productivity at the individual farm level and enhancing farm level economy to restore farmers’ confidence levels. NFSM has five components (i) NFSM- Rice; (ii) NFSM-Wheat; (iii) NFSM-Pulses, (iv) NFSM-Coarse cereals and (v) NFSM-Commercial Crops.

Elaborate guidelines have been issued for identifying States, districts and beneficiaries especially, small & marginal, women and SC/ST category farmers under the scheme. All targeted beneficiaries receive assistance under the scheme. Details of all these beneficiaries is being captured regularly and are available on NFSM website & Farmers Portal to enhance transparency.

However this information can be accessed by people having access to internet. With the help of USSD application, farmers and all other stakeholders can access the list of beneficiaries in their area.

The objective of the mission is to promote holistic growth of horticulture sector, skill development, enhance horticulture production and encourage aggregation of farmers into farmer groups like FIGs/FPOs and FPCs to bring economy of scale and scope.

Detailed guidelines have been issued for granting assistance to the beneficiaries under the scheme. Details of all these beneficiaries are being captured regularly and is available on NHM website & Farmers Portal to enhance transparency.

However, this information can be accessed only by people having access to internet. With the help of USSD application, farmers and all other stakeholders can access the list of beneficiaries in their area.

Agricultural mechanization not only enables efficient utilization of various inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, plant protection chemicals and water for irrigation but also it helps in poverty alleviation by making farming an attractive enterprise. The Department of Agriculture and Cooperation is following multi – pronged strategy for promoting Farm Mechanization. It aims at increasing the reach of farm mechanization to small and marginal farmers and to the regions where availability of farm power is low.

In this direction availability of right type of machines at a reasonable price assumes high importance. Data about variety of manufactures/dealers along with their products and price details is being captured regularly. This has been available to the users having regular access to the internet. With the help of this USSD based application, farmers will be able to know details about different types of machines (according to the choice of crop and stage of cropping cycle) along with contact information of dealers selling these in and around their area. Farmers will then be able to make informed decisions about its purchase.

Timely availability of correct Seed from the nearest dealer helps farmers in terms of time and cost savings.With the help of this USSD application farmers can find out details of various Seed Dealers in their area. After dialing the requisite USSD service code, a farmer can easily drill down the easily comprehensible menu to the required information.