Introduction about the Department of Agriculture & Organization Structure :

The Department of Agriculture is one of the oldest departments in the state which started in the year 1913. The main aim of the department is to achieve sustainable food production, there by increasing the socio-economic status of the farming community.

The department aims at transferring the latest technology evolved at Agricultural Universities to the farming community. Agriculture assistant, the basic level extension worker in the department is placed at Grama Panchayath level to drive home the new technology to the farmers and ensure the adoption to the maximum extent possible.

Tumakuru district falls under agriculture zone 4 (Central dry zone), zone 5(Eastern dry zone) and zone 6 (Southern dry zone). The Zone 4 consists of 6 taluks namely Chikkanayakanahali, Tiptur, Koratagere, Sira, Madhugiri and Pavagada. The Zone 5 consists of Gubbi and Tumakuru taluks and the Zone 6 consists of Kunigal and Turuvekere taluks. The Annual average rainfall of the district is 593.0 mm. The South west monsoon starts normally from 1st week of June and Peak precipitation will occur during September.

In the district, Kharif is the main cropping season. Ragi and Groundnut are the major crops which occupy about 70% of the cultivable area followed by Paddy, Maize and Red gram. The Total normal Kharif area under agricultural crops is 5.00 lakh hectares. Around 0.15 lakh hectares is covered during Rabi and 0.30 lakh hectares during Summer season. The production is over and above the requirements of the district with regard to cereals. (3.87 lakh tons) but Tumakuru falls behind in meeting the requirement of pulses and oil seeds 0.306 and 1.06 lakh tons respectively.

Organization Structure

Objectives & Vision :

Vision of the department; To increase the production & productivity of the agricultural crops by which the farming community will get the increased income and ensure food security to the population.

The Objectives of the department are :

Programmes and Schemes Highlights :

State Sector Schemes

Plant Protection (state) Isecticide control Laboratory : (S-06

Grants under this scheme is provided for supply of biopesticides, bio-agents and grain storage bins to farmer at 50%subsidy, besides meeting the expenditure for drawal of samples of seeds / fertilizer and chemicals and to initiate legal action in respect of substandard samples . Seed treatment campaigns and trainings on safe use of chemicals will be organisesed.

Krishi Melas and Exhibitions : (S-07)

Under the scheme, progressive farmers/ farm women will be taken to exhibitions and Krishi mela at KVK’s and Research farms, V.C.Farm, Mandya, so as to provide them an opportunity to observe the latest technologies in agriculture and allied sectors and to encourage them to adopt  feasible technologies in their fields.

Exhibitions are organized at Sree Siddaganga mutt, Tumakuru, to provide an opportunity to farmers of the district to observe the performance of different varieties of various crops and also to be aware of programmes and developments in agriculture and related sectors for their overall improvement.

District Agricultural Tarining Center:(S-08 & S-09)

The scheme envisages for training Farmers / Farm women in agricultural and allied activities. Traveling allowance, daily allowance, lodging expenses, and the expenses for educational tours and honorarium for trainers are provided under this scheme. However it also makes provision for training materials. The schemes helps to upgrade the technical knowledge of farming community and thereby increase in productivity.

Special component and Tribal sub-plan : (S-08 & S-09)

The scheme aims at increasing per acre yield in the lands of scheduled caste and scheduled tribe families and to uplift them.  Scheme envisages the distribution of plant protection equipments, pump sets, diesel/kerosene engines, hi-tech equipments, storage bins etc., at 75% subsidy and demonstration inputs at 100% subsidy.

Krishi Prashasthi scheme : (S-11)

Scheme aims to recognize and award farmers doing outstanding work in increasing agricultural production and to initiate healthy competitive spirit among the farmers. Prizes are given to farmers who achieve record yields in the crops offered for competition at state/district and taluk level each year.

Organic Farming : (S-12)

Organic farming is one of the integrated agricultural production programmes where in we use locally available raw materials to increase the soil fertility and achieving sustainability. Apart from this, organic farming mission programme provides 50% subsidy to organic input and organic materials required for organic crop production.

Processing of Agricultural produce : (S-13) To enable the farmers to get better returns for their produce farmers are encouraged to process the produce and take up value addition. 50% subsidy to generl farmers and 90% subsidy to SC ST farmers (subject to maximum limitation). will be provided for purchasing processing/value adding implements / equipments.

Enrichment of Soil Fertility : The Scheme envisages increasing soil fertility by providing organic manure crops seeds, like sunhemp etc., supplying by fertilizers, vemi compost, City compost, Agrigold and Micronutrients, at 50% subsidy rates to general farmers and 75% subsidy to SC ST farmers subject to maximum limit. Scheme also aids in construction of bio digester units, vermi compost units, thereby helping in increasing organic carbon content in the soil and to make available all other nutrients in the soil for plant up take.

Bhoochetana : (S-14) Scheme envisages increasing the yield of major rainfed crops of the district by 20% through adoption of agricultural technologies, application of major and micronutrients based on soil analysis and taking up inercrops and mixed cropping. Techniques and Technologies are widely published & Facilitators are engaged to motivate fellow farmers to adopt the technologies properly and at right time. Micronutrients are supplied at 50% & 90% subsidy, subject to maximum limit.

Bhoo Samruddhi: Bhoosamruddhi scheme is taken up as an innovative scheme implemented in association with consortium of CGIAR institutions namely ICRISAT, ILRI, IRRI, SIMMYT, IWMI, AVRDC, IFPRI & Agriculture Universities & KVK's to operationalize action research scaling-up model in partnership with line departments in the State of Karnataka to increase crop yields by 20 per cent and farmers incomes by 25% in four years.

Scheme would help to establish sites of learning of integrated participatory research for development to benefit small and marginal farmers in irrigated and rainfed agriculture areas.

Under this scheme the capacity of agricultural related development agencies in the state are developed for enhancing the pmpact of the development programs through science-led support systems.

PMKSY (erst while IWMP: (S-17)

 The major objective of PMKSY is to achieve convergence of investments in irrigation at the field level, expand cultivable area under assured irrigation, improve on-farm water use efficiency to reduce wastage of water, enhance the adoption of precision-irrigation and other water saving technologies. The main objectives are to restore the ecological balance by harnessing, conserving and developing degraded natural resources such as soil, vegetative cover and water.  The outcomes are prevention of soil run-off, regeneration of natural vegetation, rain water harvesting and recharging of the ground water table.  This enables multi-cropping and the introduction of diverse agro-based activities, which help to provide sustainable livelihoods to the people residing in the watershed area. 

District Sector Schemes

Micro Irrigation : (D-01)

The Scheme envisages minimum use of available water and to get maximum productivity per unit of water. Under this scheme, drip and sprinkler units are provided to farmers at 90% subsidy.

Raitha Samparka Kendra : (D-03)

Raitha Samparka Kendra is the basic unit of agriculture department, situated at hobli level. An Agriculture officer heads the Raitha SamparkaKendra. This scheme provides funds for conducting local need based demonstrations. Funds are provided for office expenses.

District Agricultural Training Centre : (D-03)

The scheme envisages for training Farmers / Farm women in agricultural and allied activities. Traveling allowance, daily allowance, lodging expenses, and the expenses for educational tours and honorarium for trainers are provided under this scheme. However it also makes provision for training materials. The schemes helps to upgrade the technical knowledge of farming community and thereby increase in productivity.

 

Post Harvest Technology : (D-06) : The scheme envisages the supply of HDP sheets for safe and clean handling of agriculture produce.

Organic Fertilizers : (D-07)

To improve soil productivity and to reduce the ill effects of using chemical fertilizers and plant protection chemicals and to achieve sustainability in farm yields. ‘Agrigold’> or ‘Vermicompost’ is supplied at 50% subsidy under this scheme.

Plant Protection: (D-08) : The scheme aims at controlling insects and pests by using suitable insecticides and pesticides provided at subsidized rates (50%) there by increasing the production, besides distribution of plant protection equipments at 50% subsidy

Agricultural Fairs and Exhibition : (D-09)

Under the scheme, progressive farmers/ farm women will be taken to exhibitions and Krishi mela at KVK’s and Research farms, and University of Agriculture Sciences, so as to provide them an opportunity to observe the latest technologies in agriculture and allied sectors and to encourage them to adopt  feasible technologies in their fields.

Exhibitions are organized at Sree Siddaganga mutt, Tumakuru, to provide an opportunity to farmers of the district to observe the performance of different varieties of various crops and also to be aware of programmes and developments in agriculture and related sectors for their overall improvement.

Central Sponsored Schemes

National Mission on oil Seeds & Oil Palm (NMOOP):

The Scheme aims at increasing the production of oil seeds giving various inputs to oil seed growers. It ensures subsidy for distribution of certified / truthful label seeds and also incentives for production of certified / foundation seeds. Demonstration like large scale demonstrations, Integrated Pest Management and Integrated Nutrient Management are being conducted by providing inputs at 50% subsidy to growers. It also ensures the distribution of irrigation equipments, agricultural implements, p.p.equipments, and p.p.chemicals, micro nutrients and organic manures at 50% subsidy. Further, it ensures giving training to oil seed growers about recent technologies in the field.

National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)

Sustaining agricultural productivity depends on quality and availability of natural resources like soil and water.  NMSA will cater to key dimensions of “water use efficiency”, Nutrient management and livelihood diversification through adoption of sustainable development pathway by progressively shifting to environmental friendly technologies, adoption energy efficient equipments, conservation of  natural resources, integrated farming etc.
The main objective of the scheme is to make agriculture more productive, sustainable, remunerative and climate resilience  by promoting  location specific integrated / composite farming systems.
To conserve natural resources through appropriate soil & moisture conservation messures.
To optimise utilization of water resource through efficient water management, to expand coverage for achieving “More crop per drop” etc.

• Soil Health Mission :

Soil health centre located in the district head quarters, analyze the soil samples collected from the lands of farmers throughout the district for major and micronutrients. Recommendations are made based on the analysis report, so as to enable the farmers to apply optimum quantity of required nutrients to get maximum yield. Soil health cards will be issued to all farmers..Assistance to farmers to replenish the soil by deficient nutrients will be given. Water samples are also analyzed to test the quality of irrigation water and appropriate recommendations are made accordingly.

• National Mission On  Food Processing (NMFP)

The NMFP Programmes main objective is to promote facilities for post harvest operations including setting up  of food processing industries to undertake decentralization of schemes in order to take in to account the requirements suitable to the local needs. 
To augment the capacity of working to upscale their operations through capital infusion, technology transfer, skill up gradation and hand holding.  To support established self help groups working in food processing sector to facilitate them to  achieve SME status.  Capacity development and skill up gradation through institutional training to ensure sustainable employment opportunities to the people and also to reduce the gap in requirement and availability of skilled man power in food processing sector etc.

• Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojane (RKVY)

RKVY  aims at achieving and sustaining desired annual growth during 12th Plan period by ensuring holistic development of agriculture and allied sectors.  The main objective of the scheme are to incentevize the states so as to increase public investment in agriculture and allied sectors.  To provide flexibility and autonomy to states in the  process of planning and executing agriculture and allied schemes.  To ensure preparation of Agriculture plans for the districts and the states based on agro climatic condition, availability of technology and natural resources.  To ensure the local needs / crop / priorities are better reflected in agriculture plans of the state.  To achieve goal of reducing the yield gaps in important crops through focus interventions etc.

• Farm Mechanization :

The Scheme reduces risks of scarcity of agricultural labour and enables timely operations of agricultural activities and also helps to reduce time of operation. It ensures adoption of mechanization among farming community by distribution of hi-tech agricultural implements, diesel pump sets, tractors, power tillers and mechanized plant protection equipments at 50% to general farmers and 90% subsidy to SC ST farmers (subject to maximum limitation).

• Enrichment of Soil Fertility :

Karnataka Seed Mission :
Certified/ quality seed will be distributed based on seed replacement guidelines, for each season and crop, under subsidized rates in co-ordination with various seed supplying agencies. Certified/ Truthful labeled seeds are distributed to all the categories of the farmers, subject to maximum of 2 hectares.

• Bhoochetana Scheme :

Scheme envisages increasing the yield of major rainfed crops of the district by 20% through adoption of agricultural technologies, application of major and micro nutrients based on soil analysis and taking up of inter crops and mixed cropping. Techniques and Technologies are widely published through pamphlets, street plays and wall paintings. Facilitators are engaged to motivate fellow farmers to adopt the technologies properly and at  right time. Micronutrients are supplied at 50% subsidy, subject to maximum limit.

• National Food Security Mission :

The main objective of this scheme is to increase production of pulses and coarse cereals through area expansion and productivity enhancement in a sustainable manner, restoring soil fertility and productivity at the individual farm level and enhancing farm level economy i.e. farm profits to restore confidence amongst the farmers. It allows the distribution of certified seeds at 50% subsidy.  Inputs for demonstration, I.P.M. demonstration, I.N.M. demonstration are subsidized to the extent of 50% to encourage higher yields by adopting new technologies. Further, organic fertilizers, micronutrients, agricultural implements, p.p.equipments, conveyance pipe, diesel/ kerosene pump sets are distributed at 50% subsidy.

• ATMA :

Agricultural Technology Management Agency aims at making extension system farmer driven and farmer accountable by disseminating technology to farmers through new institutional arrangements to operationalize the extension reforms on a participatory mode.  the scheme focus on

• Encouraging multi agency extension strategies involving public / private extension service providers. 
• Ensuring an integrated, broad based extension delivery mechanism consistent with farming system approach with a focus on bottom up planning process.
• Adopting group approach to extension inline with the identified needs and requirements of the farmers in the farm of CIG’s and FIG’s and consolidate them as farmers producer organisations;
• Facilitating convergence of farmers centric programmes in planning, execution and implementation
• Addressing gender concerns by mobilizing farm women into groups and providing training to them.

ATMA is an autonomous institution set up at district level to ensure delivery of extension services to farmers.  ATMA Governing Board is the apex body of ATMA which provides overall policy direction.  ATMA Management Committee is the executive body looking after implementation of the scheme.

 

Who is who in the Department

4(1)(b) – RTI Act Public Information Officers and Assistant Public Information Officers list

Department District Office Address :

The Joint Director of Agriculture,
Tumakuru District,
Adjacent to Court Compound,
Tumakuru – 572101.

Any Other Information pertaining to the Department of Agriculture :

JOINT DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE, TUMAKURU DISTRICT