Prayagraj: As a part of the state govt’s efforts to make farmers familiar with the latest agricultural technologies, improved seeds, and fertiliser management, they are being connected with agricultural technical assistants (ATA).A large number of appointments have already been made for ATAs in the agriculture department promising to increase farmers’ income as well as providing employment opportunities for youths.Given the rising costs of farming and unpredictable weather patterns, farmers’ incomes can only be increased by simultaneously reducing cultivation costs and ensuring they have access to information on new technologies, improved seeds, and fertiliser management. To achieve this, govt has appointed these ‘technical guides’ (Sarathis) for the farmers.Deputy director (agriculture) Pawan Kumar Vishwakarma said that the recruitment process for 123 agricultural technical assistants has been completed in Prayagraj district. These ATAs, acting as technical guides for farmers, have already commenced their duties. With new recruitments, the total number of technical assistants in the district has reached 188. Across Prayagraj division, a total of 330 ATAs have been appointed, with new responsibilities assigned to 128 assistants in Pratapgarh, 61 in Fatehpur, and 18 in Kaushambi districts.Agricultural technical assistants are set to become the most crucial link between the agriculture department and the farmers. Their primary objective is to reduce production costs, increase crop yields, and ensure a rise in the farmers’ income. Farmers often lack literacy and are risk-averse, resulting in limited interest in adopting new agricultural technologies and scientific farming methods, said Vishwakarma, adding that to shift this mindset, govt has entrusted these technical guides with the responsibility of visiting farmers at their homes and preparing them for these changes. These facilitators are set to become key agents of change in transforming the farmers’ outlook.UP has the highest number of small and marginal farmers. Due to their weak economic standing, govt supports them through various schemes. Farmers needed information about these welfare programmes and assistance to connect with them and avail of their benefits.Vishwakarma explains that these technical facilitators will visit the ‘Nyaya Panchayat’ level to identify and enrol eligible farmers in schemes such as PM-Kisan, crop insurance, agricultural subsidies, seed mini-kit distribution, and irrigation programmes. They will also be responsible for assessing crop damage caused by natural disasters—such as floods, droughts, or hailstorms—and assisting in the compensation process.They have also been assigned significant responsibilities regarding digital agriculture and the collection of ground-level data from farmers’ fields. The ATAs will play a crucial role in gathering accurate details of crops through digital crop surveys and updating this information on digital platforms. Their duties will include facilitating soil testing and advising farmers on the balanced use of nutrients and fertilisers tailored to their specific land. They have been tasked with critical activities such as collecting real-time data on crop production, sown areas, and projected yields.
