Impact Assessment of Agricultural Extension Reforms in Bihar

The study was conducted to assess the impact of NATP in Bihar’s perspective. Data were generated from 540 farmers over a period of three year (2005 to 2007). Results of extension reforms have demonstrated improvement in the extension systems which have taken keen initiatives in development process. During NATP period ATMA have been able to generate some financial resources and develop infrastructure to facilitate the trainings. Study reveals that scientists have become more responsive to the needs of farmers and have sharpened their focus of research to meet location-specific requirement of different farmers. Need-based training and exposure visits to farmers and farmer-led extension have played a very effective tool for technology dissemination. There has been considerable improvement in adoption of new technologies and farm practices by all categories of farmers. Technological interventions made by NATP could substantially increase the income of all sections of farmers. It is also noted that NATP was not started in all districts at a time. Hence, all districts did not get same results. Therefore, it can be concluded that pilot testing of this experiment shows quite encouraging results. The indigenously developed concept of innovative transfer of technology in an integrated manner can be adopted in state and can be the integral part of national policy.