STUDY TOURS FOR FARMERS AND EXTENSION OFFICERS

In the context of Globalization and open market it is very essential to update the knowledge the farmer and the extension workers.  It is well known fact that “seeing is believing”.  The objective of the study tours is to provide farmers/ extension workers an insight into the advances made in the different types of farming and to show them the successful projects in different parts of the World. The study tours would help to establish more exchange programmes and a network with farmers of different State/ Country/ World. Farmers and extension workers could get first-hand experience during their visit and acquaint themselves with the latest and improved farming technology. Organizing study tours to visit allied agricultural institutions, organizations and progressive farmers’ fields can cover success stories of the villages that have become self-sufficient and independent in sustainable and integrated agriculture. 

Under this scheme the farmers and extension workers will be also be taken to Agriculture Universities/ KVKs and other reputed Agricultural Institutions located in other States/ country to witness the ongoing agricultural advances.  Study tours in the past have proved to be very useful instrument for technology transfer and awareness creation. 

Study tour programme of farmers and extension workers of the state shall be taken up at regular intervals so as to observe and know the recent research findings, study of latest production technologies in the area of Agriculture and allied fields within and outside the country and practice the same in their own farms and be a model for the other farmers. 

          Farmers study tours can achieve the objectives mentioned below: 

·Producer education/leadership development on issues related to international agriculture, markets, relationships, and economics.

·Market research/ issue identification to enhance products’/producers’ opportunities in foreign markets.

·Institutional relationships with those organizations and companies with complementary interests in agriculture.

·Public relations/awareness of the importance and impact of national/international markets on food and agri systems. 

The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana also endorses and focuses on Study tours of farmers to places of interest to them, especially to research institutions etc. 

The State Agriculture Department proposes to the above programme with an outlay of Rs.1 Crore per annum for a period of five years amounting to Rs. 5 Crore for five years.