RAITHA SAMPARKA KENDRA  

Raita Samparka Introduction

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RAITHA MITRA YOJANE

          Raitha Mitra Yojane is a new demand driven Agricultural Extension System of the state.  It has replaced the earlier T&V system of Agricultural extension.  

The Agricultural Extension Centres opened under this new programme at Hobli level are called Raita Samparka Kendras(RSK).

Objectives :

1.     To provide updated information on crop production options, practices markets etc.,

2.     To facilitate on site provision of critical inputs like seeds, bio-fertilizers, micro-nutrients etc.,

3.     To provide primary seed and soil testing facilities.

4.     To provide a forum for on-farm demonstration about new technologies developed by both public and private sector agencies. 

To meet the growing demands of  farming community engaged in the pursuit of latest technologies, Raitha Mitra Yojane is implemented in the State since 2000-01. Accordingly, 745 Raitha Samparka Kendras have been established one at  each hobli (sub-blocks)levels.  Each RSK is headed by an Agricultural Officer (Agricultural Graduate) duly supported by Assistant Agricultural Officers and Agricultural Assistants, whose number is decided based on the agricultural potential in terms of cropping intensity, irrigation facilities  crop  diversification etc.   

     Farmers can visit these RSK’s personally & get the required information or they can contact the RSK’s over phone to obtain the information.  An ‘Interaction’ register is maintained in the RSK.  Farmers name , address and the purpose of visit are entered in the register.  Agricultural Officer in charge of the RSK will then give suggestion or recommendations to the problems posed by the farmers in writing in a prescribed format and the details will be entered in the interaction register also.  The technical staff of the RSK’s visit groups of farmers in all the villages of the hobli on a regular basis on a pre drawn schedule of visits.  Also undertake field visits to assist farmers in adoption of new technologies.

-         Commissioner for Agriculture is the implementing authority at the State level.  He is  supported by Director of Agriculture & Additional Directors of Agriculture(Human Resources Development), (Crop Planning & Development) & (Quality Control). 

-         Areas covered : Entire State . 

The scheme is implemented in all 27 Districts,  176 Talukas and 745 Hoblis of the State.  

-         The scheme is funded by Government of Karnataka & India.  

-         User charges:  The Government of Karnataka has allowed to collect user charges at the approved rates.  The user charges are being collected from various public & private sector companies involved in Agricultural activities and also from the farmers as detailed below:  

As on 31-1-2004 a sum of Rs.262,25,703/-(Rupees Two Sixty Two Lakhs Twenty Five Thousand Seven Hundred Three only) is collected as service charges which is retained at the respective RSK’s for their strengthening and to take up trials etc., whenever required.  

As it could be seen from the amount of user charges collected & number of beneficiaries yet to be reached it is definitely possible to mobilize resources for meeting expenditure on operation and maintenance of these Kendra’s.  As of now major portion of user charges collected is coming from sale of seeds.  It is proposed to include other inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, pp equipments and agricultural implements etc. for sale through RSK’s and to make these Kendra’s self sufficient.  

Eligibility Criteria:  Any farmer can avail of the services rendered by the RSK’s.  All public and private sector companies involved in agricultural activities can reach the farmers through RSK’s by paying service charges at approved rates as mentioned above.   

Beneficiaries of the scheme:  All farmers of the State are the beneficiaries of the scheme.  All the private and public sector agencies engaged in agriculture related activities are also the potential beneficiaries of the scheme.  

No.of Beneficiaries covered:  As on date 26,56,311 farmers have been benefited by the RSK’s.  

Progressive farmers, NGO’s Religious and Philanthropical  Institutions have come forward to provide free sites for constructing RSK buildings.  

Reliance Petrochemicals Ltd., have come forward to establish their retail outlets in selected RSK’s to supply petrol & diesel to farmers at subsidized rates.  The proposal is under active consideration & is likely to be launched in 2004-05.  

Extension/Future Plans:  It is proposed to Computerise all the RSK’s and provide  them with Telephones and Internet connectivity to harness the benefits of the information technology to provide latest information related to agriculture development to all farmers of the State.  Till now 251 RSK’s are provided with Computers and 523 Kendras are provided with Telephone connections.  

     It is also proposed to broad base the extension services at RSK’s  by converging the activities of line departments like Horticulture, Sericulture etc. and make single delivery point for all agriculture related activites.