IT News
Imphal, Mar 23 :
Minister for Agriculture, Government of Manipur, Oinam Lukhoi Singh handed over various awards in different categories under Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) scheme today at Farmers’ Training Hall, Directorate of Agriculture, Sanjenthong.
Altogether, 45 numbers of Awards were handed over to the awardees. The category of the awards distributed was Best State Level Farmers award, Best District level Farmers award, Best ATMA District, Award for Incentive for Exemplary Extension Work, Best ATMA Stall in the MAI-OWN Exhibition, 2021, Outstanding Award for Distinguishing Service to Farmers’ and Incentive Award for 7 (seven) new districts participated in the SAF, 2021. A total cash award of Rs. 10, 30,000/- (Rupees ten lakhs thirty thousand only) was transferred to awardees through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) by Minister, O. Lukhoi Singh during the occasion.
The Best State and District Level Farmers were selected based on the success story submitted by the Concerned Project Director ATMA Districts. Best ATMA Districts were also selected based on the activities/works done in all the agriculture & allied sectors as per ATMA guidelines. The Award for Incentive for Exemplary Extension Work was selected based on the performance among the ATMA Extension Functionaries during the year with a view to bridge the gap of lab and land.
Addressing the gatherings as Chief Guest, Minister Lukhoi expressed that such recognitions will encourage the farmers to increase their production in a specialised manner under the supervision of efficient scheme officers and officials. In this way, the agriculture sector and farmers will become self-reliant and contribute to the economy of the state, the Minister asserted. He further mentioned that with the advancement of technology and specialised skills in the agriculture sectors, there will be a massive improvement in the production of agricultural products and also its allied sectors.
Director, Agriculture, Laltanpuii Vanchhong informed that the State Agricultural Management Extension and Training Institute (SAMETI-Manipur) has been organizing the State Agriculture Fair since 2008. This year, the State Agricultural Fair, 2021 was organized by the SAMETI- Manipur as a part of MAI-OWN Exhibition, 2021 from March 16 to 22, 2021 at Imphal. The main objectives of the Fair are to disseminate the latest Technology, showcase the innovative activities and products etc., she added.
Commissioner, Agriculture Department (Link), Gyan Prakash Singh and Director, Agriculture, Laltanpuii Vanchhong graced the occasion as President and Guest of Honour respectively. Also Project Officers, officials of the Department were part of the ceremony.
It may be noted that Support to State Extension Programme for Extension Reforms known as ATMA Scheme is a continuous Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented in the state since 2005-06 and it covers 9 Districts and 60 blocks.
