ANALYSIS ON ASSOCIATION AND CONTRIBUTION OF PROFILE CHARACTERISTICS OF FARMER FRIENDS UNDER ATMA SCHEME WITH THEIR ROLE PERFORMANCE

Abstract

In the process of communication of agricultural innovations, the position of village level functionary i.e. farmer friend is very crucial. He first acts as a receiver of innovations and then as an intermediary to convey the messages to other farmers in the village. The role played by the farmer friend as communicator of information about improved agricultural practices is very vital. He gives advice to the farmers for production recommendations. He has to coordinate the work of supply and service agencies for effective implementation of farm production plans. He has to motivate, educate and guide farmers to adopt new ideas and practices. The role of the farmer friend who is at the grass roots is therefore, more important. Under ATMA, diffusion of message into the farming community is mediated through the farmer friends. All communication of innovation when passed from the extension workers through farmer friends in the community finds easy and extensive adoption. The success of Agriculture Development Programme to considerable extent depends on the role performance of farmer friend who is the key position at a village level to implement Agricultural Development Programmes. His service is available to the farmers in the villages and thus forms a strategic link between the research, the extension organization and the farmers. The efficiency and effectiveness of the system mainly depends upon the farmer friends who are expected to perform the duties assigned to them. It is, therefore, important that their proficiency in job performance has to be raised and maintained at a high level. In view of the crucial nature of the role that a farmer friend is expected to play in the new strategy of Agriculture Production, there is need for systematic analysis of his role performance. Hence, it was felt necessary to analyses the roles of the farmer friend while transferring Agriculture technology. As the whole tower of ATMA is standing on the pillar of farmer friend, it is necessary to study the role performance of these Grass root Level Worker and association and contribution of their characteristics with their role performance.