National Agricultural Technology Project
Monthly Monitoring and Evaluation Report of the FIACs in the Ahmednagar District following visit between 27.09.04 to 05.10.04
As per the approved program for monitoring and evaluation of the FIAC units in 13 tehsils following visit programme was conducted for the month of September.
|
DATE |
TALUKA OF FIAC VISIT |
PERSONS |
|
27.09.04 |
AKOLE/SANGAMNER |
HENDRE + BORUDE |
|
28.09.04 |
SHRIGONDA/PARNER |
HENDRE + BORUDE |
|
29.09.04 |
KARJAT/JAMKHED |
HENDRE + BORUDE |
|
30.09.04 |
SHEVGAON/PATHARDI |
HENDRE + BORUDE |
|
01.10.04 |
NEWASA/SHRIRAMPUR |
HENDRE + BORUDE |
|
04.10.04 |
NAGAR/RAHURI |
HENDRE + BORUDE |
|
05.10.04 |
KOPARGAON |
HENDRE + BORUDE |
The visit was made on 27 September 2004 by the KVK Scientists. It was observed that various input supply services are being provided through this FIAC. The programs and activities are being carried out also from the support of Agriculture Department. The programs are being carried out actively based on the self help group formation. Till now the FIAC have formed eight SHGs. A field visit was also made to Village Sharankhel at Shri Laxman Dada Kasar wherein the Picador Chilli and Tomato Hybrid plot was visited. The IPM program has been successfully carried out. The farmer’s response was observed to be satisfactory. The timely advice on protection of Chilli and tomato plot from wilt was provided with the supply of trichoderma for biological control of wilt.
The FIAC has been able to gather farmers confidence and has been seemed to be active in maintaining appropriate relations with farmers for technology delivery. The utilization of funds for the extension activities was observed to be satisfactory. The FIAC was further advised to activate itself into areas of vegetables production where the need is most felt especially in tribal areas.
The utilization of funds has been observed to be satisfactory.
Rating: 9.00/10.00
The visit was made to the FIAC for furthering the cause of Technology dissemination and linking the farmers and scientist through appropriate IT enabled services in its true sense.
The Kokangaon FIAC despite its numerous problems relating to power, telephone, other accessories that it was denied from its mentor Department of Agriculture, the FIAC stands today as an accomplished role model for the others to follow suite, distinct amongst all the extension agencies of the Block. The services are in the true spirit of providing technology and information services for the farmers.
There is appropriate system of documentation and record keeping. The extension services are upto the mark and satisfaction. The most appealing part of the operator is that they have been most successful in making available the technology within easy reach and timely.
The FIAC boasts itself of a satisfactory Internet connection where the Internet connection or telephone connectivity seemed a distant dream. The FIAC have been providing the services on self reliant basis. The services are provided on paid basis which include input supply, custom hiring service of farm implements, and crop consultancy. The income from these services is successfully being utilized to meet the operational expenses. Almost all the organic and biological control agents are made available for the farmers at FIAC.
The Bee keeping program has been carried out satisfactorily and the utilization of funds for the extension programs is also satisfactory.
Rating: 9.00/10.00
The visit was made on 28 September to the FIAC. The FIAC was observed to be quite active in organizing farmers group for dissemination and adoption of improved technology. The FIAC has been successfully organized Farmer Interest Groups on commodity basis where the procurement of improved seed, pesticides, fertilizers, marketing etc. are being carried out on Community basis. The FIAC has FIGs of Cucumber, Chilli comprising of 20 to 25 farmers each. A field visit was made to the plot of Cucumber and Chilli growers Shri Dashrath Dhondiba Shelar and Sitaram Prabhu Ghodekar, Belwandi from the group. The plots seemed to be ideal and robust in terms of yield and crop management. The most interesting feature was found about the organization of FIGs for establishment of Community Agro Input Supply centre. It was further suggested that similar centre be made operational at the FIAC so that the needy farmers could get the inputs at the FIAC itself.
The documentation and record keeping was not satisfactory and therefore it was suggested to keep appropriate documentation of all the activities alongwith suitable action photographs and brief note and success stories so that adoption may be validated during the visits. The utilization of the Internet and other AV Aids was observed to be poor at the FIAC. It was therefore suggested to them to develop strategies in order to attract maximum farmers at the FIAC especially by providing input supply, consultancy and other custom hiring of implements etc. They were also asked to develop literature so that revenue generation could be assured. They were further asked to make visit to FIAC Sangamner.
Rating 6.00/10.00
The visit was made to the FIAC to evaluate the field extension programmes and assess the performance of extension services from the FIAC. The FIAC operates with an advantageous condition of availability of extension staff on 24 hour basis. The FIAC has successfully implemented the field program on 18” sowing of Jowar on large scale. The program fund utilization was also found to be satisfactory. The documentation and record keeping was also observed to be satisfactory. It was also striking to note that the FIAC is also providing the information services through its website. The FIAC has made deep inroads in providing the extension and other information services through advisory and information services for the farmers even during odd hours. The FIAC has also formed crop based groups comprising Onion, Pea, Jowar and Dolichos growers. The field extension programme has been carried out through these groups.
The FIAC has however not been able to generate enough resources enough to meet the expenses. It was suggested to provide all the services of advisory, consultancy, Information, implements, inputs so that dissemination and adoption of improved technologies could be provided with maximum potential. In the light of satisfactory rainfall it was advised to beef up the extension services on a more sound footing so as to generate enough resources. The field visit to Jowar plot and plot of Horticulture plantation was made which was observed to be satisfactory. The dissemination of technology from the FIAC to the nearby farmer was most satisfying feature.
Rating: 08.00/10.00
FIAC Karjat
The visit was made on 29 September to the FIAC unit. It was observed that the FIAC has not been able to activate itself to it full extent. They were however providing the FAIC based information and advisory services. The record and documentation was also not satisfactory. They were advised to keep the record and other documentation of all the activities so that meaningful inferences could be made out of the extension programs. The FIAC was observed to carry out field extension programmes with support from the Department of Agriculture and ATMA. The field programs were chosen as per the needs and problems of the farmers. The documentation of various activities was emphasized to the FIAC operators. The programmes and activities are being undertaken as suggested by ATMA.
Further strengthening of the FIAC is required by initiating action on consultancy based services and other hired services and input supply services for the benefit of farmers. The service is intended to enhance resource generation and ensure timely advisory and extension services for the farmers. Further need-based services were emphasized on the part of FIAC by the visiting KVK scientists.
Rating: 05.00/10.00
FIAC JAMKHED
The FIAC is operating at Milk Cooperative Federation office on a makeshift room by the operator. This is despite the completion of erection of FIAC building in the APMC premises. The FIAC operator was advised to utilize the building at least for 3 marketing days during which the market is operational in the APMC so that access to technology. The operator has not been able to keep appropriate record or render extension services as per the mandate of ATMA for the farmers. No development with regard to optimum utilization of AV Aids and other gadgets supplied by the ATMA was observed. The operator was observed to be irresponsible in appropriately providing the extension services for the farmers. This was particularly observed during a visit by farmer Shri Suresh Sopan Dhumal from Pargaon and Shri Rajiv Shahaji Ware of Ratnapur who had come to the makeshift FIAC for getting information regarding the availability of seeds of Jowar. The callous attitude of the operator was noted and it was further suggested that similar service by the FIAC operator would be detrimental for the farmers and the operator himself. It was further noted that the records and documentation that they were required to furnish were not maintained.
It was also noted that despite a visit by PD ATMA during last visit and request by him to shift the FIAC operation from its existing location to new building in the APMC premises was also not accomplished. No development of any kind was observed to refurbish the office at new location was made since last month. The staff allocation was improper since for providing agricultural technology at least a Diploma holder should render the requisite services. But the FIAC operator has failed to allocate competent manpower for providing the extension services. The concerned person looking after the FIAC is a non-agricultural graduate incompetent to deliver the services for the farmers.
A deadline was issued to them to allocate appropriate responsible personnel for running the FIAC services and activate the programmes for the farmers. A brief note prepared by the KVK was delivered to them suggesting them to undertake the relevant activities.
Rating:01.00/10.00
FIAC Shevgaon:
The visit was carried out to the FIAC on 30 September 2004. The FIAC continues to operate in the makeshift arrangement in the private agro service centre. They were advised to shift to an appropriate location where the farmers could provide the services smoothly and without any trouble. The FIAC has not action in this regard despite request during the last visit. The TAO of Shevgaon also witnessed the meeting with the FIAC operator who further advised them to take up the activities seriously. There were no field programmes undertaken by them. The group organization that the NGO is working on has not been activated appropriately to provide advisory and information services for the farmers.
The Internet was operational at the makeshift location. It was further suggested that they should move the operations to a suitable location and deliver the services for the farmers.
Rating: 2.00/10.00
FIAC Pathardi:
The visit was made to the FIAC on 30 September by the KVK scientist. It was observed that the FIAC has activated itself in furthering the cause of technology dissemination through strengthening the farmers groups. The programme and activities were observed to be quite satisfactory at the FIAC. It was emphasized further that they should provide other input supply, custom hiring of implements and other information and consultancy services on paid basis so that operational expenses could be met from the resources that are generated. Later a field visit was made to village Nipani Jalgaon where the Cotton IPM programme has been conducted. The crop stand was encouraging and farmer was observed to quite satisfactory in terms of management of heliothis pest. Later a visit was also made to village Bondarwadi at Shri Mahadev Damale who had planted geranium on one acre plot under the ATMA assisted extension program. The farmer was provided the extension and advisory service and to take appropriate measures for raising the crop for supply of planting material to other farmers in the block. The farmer seemed to be satisfied.
The FIAC has also implemented other field based programmes very satisfactorily. Later a visit was also made to village Bhute Takli where the other social activities was also noted.
Rating: 6.00/10.00
FIAC Shrirampur
The visit was made to the FIAC on 01 October 2004. A thorough brainstorming session was held with the SDAO Shri Lohokare and the concerned operator for deciding the strategy to maximize greater farmer turn-out at the FIAC. The KVK suggested that the input supply services and the other information services. The SDAO also emphasized the concerned official to undertake the technology dissemination programmes by organizing Demonstrations on 18” sowing technology of Jowar in a suitable village. Accordingly a demonstration programme was designed worth Rs. 1.04 lakhs for large scale technology demonstration. The same has been discussed and it was asked to submit it to ATMA for further approval.
The FIAC has been carrying out only advisory services only. It was further asked to beef up activities to provide all the essential information services and other advisory & consultancy services for the farmers. It was also requested to keep proper documentation of the activities undertaken by the FIAC.
Rating: 03.00/10.00
FIAC Newasa
The visit was made to FIAC on 01 October 2004. It was observed that the FIAC has been providing all the information services through the Internet and through advisory and consultancy at FIAC. It has well documented and recorded the visiting farmers at FIAC. The village level programmes and field visits were also found to be satisfactory. A field visit to village Wakadi in Newasa was done to observe the field extension activities of FIAC. It was observed that the village farmers were quite adoptive of the IPM strategies advocated for management of pests and cultivation of cotton in Wakadi. The farmers seemed to be well informed and the programme support by ATMA has been well acknowledged by the farmers. The FIAC operator has been asked to prepare a success story of Cotton IPM programme conducted in the Village Wakadi. The farmers have stopped using unwanted pesticides and instead are using eco-friendly botanical pesticides like neem kernel extract, ipomoea, custardapple etc. The farmers are also well versed with the insect predators within the cotton field.
The FIAC has made deep inroads in the villages through its massive extension strategy and the extension work in general has been observed to be satisfactory.
Rating: 09.00/10.00
FIAC Ahmednagar:
The visit was made to the FIAC on 04 October 2004. It was observed that the FIAC has not maintained the documents and records as suggested. There was large scale discrepancies in operation of field programmes that were conducted. The operator also declined to conduct field visit to the village level extension programmes leaving doubt regarding the conduct of field programmes. The utilization of AV Aids is also poor. They were also asked to prepare Onion Market and Information software which they have been unable to prepare.
The other programmes and activities have been observed to be satisfactory. The resources generation has been observed to be unsatisfactory.
Rating: 04.00/10.00
FIAC Rahuri:
The visit to FIAC was conducted on 04 October 2004. It was observed that the FIAC has well displayed the AV Aids and other Information tools for the information of farmers. The computer has been operational and the power supply has been restored at the FIAC. The telephone connection has not yet been obtained for which the FIAC operator has been trying to procure the same from TAO. The FIAC signboard has also been installed on the main road for the information of farmers. The field level activities have started in the village. The advisory and consultancy services have also started. The FIAC is also very keen to start paid training programmes at the FIAC. It was suggested that need based trainings should be organized for the village youths and the faculty from MPKV or KVK may be called as required.
The FIAC has become functional and they have been further advised to take immediate action with regard to providing all the information and advisory services for the farmers along with all the records and documents. They were handed over with a note prepared by the KVK scientist for successful operation of the FIAC. They were also asked to visit to FIAC Sangamner for further observations.
Rating: 04.00/10.00
The visit to FIAC Kopargaon was made on 05 October 2004. The meeting was attended by the SDAO, Shri Kamble, TAO Kopargaon Shri Sarode. It was brought to the notice of all the concerned the problems pertaining to power, telephone and computer supply at FIAC Kopargaon. It was decided by the SDAO that arrangements will be made to restore the power supply, telephone and computer to the FIAC. It was also decided by the TAO Kopargaon that a separate person will be allocated for operating the FIAC Kopargaon and all the necessary help will be provided in this regard to provide all the expected services from the FIAC. Mr Deshmukh was nominated for coordinating as full time personnel at FIAC by the SDAO. It was also decided all the accessories and display material will be affixed within 15 days timeframe. It was also suggested that relevant backup for the concerned personnel deputed for the FIAC be provided by the KVK, so that requisite services would be provided from the concerned FIAC. It was requested to maintain proper documentation and records at FIAC for immediate reference by any visiting official.
It was discussed that all inputs that are currently being sold by the department through TSF and Krishi Chikitsalaya be made available for sale. It was also suggested that all relevant information required for the farmers like availability of different inputs, tools & implements, services, financial assistance etc. should be kept at FIAC. This was immediately agreed upon by the SDAO and TAO. Later on when it was also told that certain consultancy and information services could be also be charged from the farmers, it was suggested that appropriate permission need to be taken and a separate proposal would be required to be submitted at the Regional JDA for the approval for charging the consultancy services. It was further suggested that the FIAC may provide the services free of charge till any decision is taken in this regard.
The discussion ended with a vow to refurbish the FIAC in a more competent way to provide extension services for the farmers.
Rating: 2.00/10.00
Evaluation
Paramaters
|
Name of FIAC Unit |
Meetings held with FAC, BTT |
Punctuality in Reporting & Documentation |
Display of Extension & Trg Aids |
Information Advisory Services provided No. |
Paid Advisory or Consultancy Service No. |
Training & Demonstrations Conducted No. |
Farmer Groups/ SHGs/FIGs Estbdd. No. |
Commercial Input Supply Started |
Other Programs through Project based extension/Other sources |
Steps taken to generate receipts/revenue |
Final score out of 10 |
|
Kopargaon |
Ö |
´ |
´ |
´ |
´ |
´ |
´ |
´ |
Ö |
´ |
2 |
|
Sangamner |
Ö |
´ |
Ö |
Ö |
Ö |
Ö |
Ö |
Ö |
Ö |
Ö |
9 |
|
Akole |
Ö |
´ |
Ö |
Ö |
Ö |
Ö |
Ö |
Ö |
Ö |
Ö |
9 |
|
Rahuri |
Ö |
´ |
Ö |
Ö |
´ |
Ö |
´ |
´ |
´ |
´ |
4 |
|
Shrirampur |
Ö |
´ |
Ö |
Ö |
´ |
´ |
´ |
´ |
´ |
´ |
3 |
|
Newasa |
Ö |
Ö |
Ö |
Ö |
´ |
Ö |
Ö |
Ö |
Ö |
Ö |
9 |
|
Parner |
Ö |
Ö |
Ö |
Ö |
´ |
Ö |
Ö |
´ |
Ö |
Ö |
8 |
|
Ahmednagar |
Ö |
´ |
Ö |
´ |
´ |
Ö |
´ |
´ |
Ö |
´ |
4 |
|
Shrigonda |
Ö |
´ |
Ö |
Ö |
´ |
Ö |
Ö |
´ |
Ö |
´ |
6 |
|
Karjat |
Ö |
´ |
Ö |
Ö |
´ |
Ö |
´ |
´ |
Ö |
´ |
5 |
|
Jamkhed |
Ö |
´ |
´ |
´ |
´ |
´ |
´ |
´ |
´ |
´ |
1 |
|
Shevgaon |
´ |
´ |
´ |
Ö |
Ö |
´ |
´ |
´ |
´ |
´ |
2 |
|
Pathardi |
Ö |
´ |
Ö |
Ö |
´ |
Ö |
Ö |
´ |
Ö |
´ |
6 |
Other Suggestions for the FIAC Operators:
Ø Inputs from KVK may be supplied at FIAC
Ø Permission may be granted for start of commercial activity at the FIAC unit.
Ø Immediate handover of Computer, telephone and books wherever from TAO/SDAO