A Step Toward Advanced Farming Through ATMA Scheme

Raipur, December 2025 : The trend of farmers adopting modern technology to practice advanced farming is steadily increasing. The centrally sponsored Agriculture Extension Reforms (ATMA) scheme of the Agriculture Department is playing an effective role in this direction. The dream of advanced farming has come true for progressive farmers Shri Ekant Chandrakar of Acholi village and Shri Vivek Vaishnav of Chando village in Chhuriya development block of Rajnandgaon district.

Both farmers had expressed their desire to adopt modern technology after watching high-tech agricultural machinery being used in farming across the country and abroad, especially in nations like Israel, through television. In November 2025, they contacted the Agriculture Department. Under the guidance of Deputy Director of Agriculture, Shri Tikam Singh Thakur, they were sent on an educational tour outside the state under the ATMA scheme to the Farm-Tech India International Agriculture Fair held at the Labhganga Exhibition Centre in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. A total of six farmers from the district participated in the event.

During the three-day exhibition, farmers observed the latest agricultural machinery displayed by multinational companies and interacted with experts, which boosted their confidence. After returning from the tour, the farmers purchased a machine-bed planter cum seeder machine and a harrow machine to sow maize, wheat, and mustard crops.

By using machinery for sowing, they experienced reduced cultivation costs, proper spacing for seed and fertilizer application, and better weed control.

The farmers stated that through the ATMA scheme, they not only receive information about advanced farming techniques beyond traditional practices but also find a clear path to adopt them successfully.