1. Information

Agricultural Technology Information Centre (ATIC)

ATIC at Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani is functioning since January 1, 2000. The centre is located near Basmat Road at the entry gate of VNMKV, Parbhani and is working under the guidance of Director of Extension Education with the following Mandates

• To provide single window delivery system for seeds, planting materials and other products like bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides, agricultural implements, processed products literature, etc.
• To provide direct access to the farmers to communicate developed technologies and inputs.
• To provide diagnostic and advisory services such as soil and water testing, plant and animal health clinic etc.
• To create mechanism for receiving feedbacks from the farmers and communication of the same to research system for solution or refinement.

Internet and web page facilities, WhatsApp helpline, WhatsApp Channels, SMS facilities, scrolling screen facilities, telephone help-lines are also provided at ATIC for easy and faster access and communication. Farmers can get up-to-date information over these facilities.

ATIC has not provided full flagged staff and run with the help of a team of Subject Matter Specialist from university.

Regional Agriculture Extension Education Centre, Parbhani

The Government of Maharashtra, Department of Agriculture launched the T & V System on 1st April 1981 with establishment of four Extension Agronomists under Directorate of Extension Education at VNMKV, Parbhani. The Extension Agronomist plays a major role in the transfer of Agricultural Technology through State Department of Agriculture for the stakeholders. The Extension Agronomist conducts the monthly workshop of State Department of Agriculture. The Subject Matter Specialists viz. Entomology, Plant Pathology, Home Science, Food Technology, Agril. Engineering and Horticulture from university constituent Agril. Colleges, Research Stations impart training in the monthly workshop and give technical information to extension workers. They also conduct the diagnostic field visits at farmer’s field and advice and solve the problems; in addition the centre undertakes innovative extension activities for the stake holders.

The Extension Agronomist, RAEEC is suppose to conduct and organize various extension activities apart from Monthly District Workshop like Trainings, (various clientele groups), field visits, diagnostic team visits, group discussions with the help of available Subject Matter Specialists of various research stations under University’s jurisdiction. It is also expected that the feedback of researchable issues regarding unsolved problems may also be provided through Extension Agronomist. In case of Parbhani Centre, the RAEEC and ATIC (Agricultural Technology Information Centre) work in one office.

Functions

The ATIC programmes are implemented under the overall guidance of the Director of Extension Education. Agricultural Technology Information Centre is supervised by the ATIC manager - Extension Agronomist with four subject matter specialist viz., Horticulture, Entomology, Plant Pathology and Home Science. Whenever necessary the services of Soil science, Animal Husbandry and Food Technology disciplines are made available. In addition to the regular extension the subject matter specialist are available at the centre for giving information and replying the queries of the farmers and other stake holders visiting Agricultural Technology Information Centre. Seed, seedlings, implements, processed food products, biofertilizers and biopesticides are sold through ATIC to the needy end users.

2. Information

Training Hall :

Need based trainings are organized by Agricultural Technology Information Centre for farmers, officers of Department of Agriculture, Non Government Organizations, input dealers and other land use departments. About 40 participants can be accommodated in the Hall.

Publications sell counter :

Various publications published by university (Krishi Dainandini, Dindarshika and various books etc.) are available in affordable price to sell the farmers, students and extension workers. During last year (April 2023 to March 2024) about 3115 different publications were sold.

3. Extension activities

Advisory Services :

Large numbers of farmers are visiting ATIC taking benefit of advisory services offered by this centre. From April 2000 to March 2024, a total of 108687 farmers visited ATIC Parbhani and sought the advice of scientists. This centre provides diagnostic services to the farmers who bring the infested/infected plant materials, soil samples and water samples to this centre. The farmers are also provided the messages on the current crop related problems through VNMKV WhatsApp Helpline and WhatsApp Channel.

Information Services (Krishi Mahiti Vahini ) :

The Telephone Helpline number 02452-229000 is started with effect from 7th October 2000. The technical officers are available on phone every day during office timing for answering queries of farmers. Name, address and questions of the farmers are recorded in the register and necessary solution is been provided to the farmer at ATIC level and if the farmer is not satisfied, then the mobile number of concerned specialist/scientist is provided. From October 2000 to March 2024, about 37696 farmers were benefitted.

VNMKV WhatsApp Helpline and WhatsApp channel :

Now a day’s every Farmer's are using Smartphone due to which it is easy for them to send the infected/infested sample of crop. The centre has started VNMKV WhatsApp Helpline having mobile number 8329432097 and ‘VNMKV PARBHANI’ WhatsApp channel for the farmers to solve the queries and send messages related to current issues in the field. The university scientists are available on WhatsApp/ Mobile every day during office timing to solve queries of farmers.

Exhibition :

Permanent museum is established in the central Hall of Agricultural Technology Information Centre. Seeds, charts, biomix, biofertilizers and laminations of different varieties and production technologies of crops recently developed by University are displayed in the museum. The visitors are taking benefit of this exhibition.

Monthly District Workshops (MDW) :

The RAEEC provides technical support to the Extension Workers of State Department of Agriculture and creates professional competence among them in transfer of technologies. The monthly district workshops are regularly organized to establish strong linkage between University and Extension Workers. The Extension workers are enriched with the latest and location specific technologies with up to date information during each workshop. The monthly meetings are tentatively planned on 3rd Wednesday and 4th Thursday of every month at Parbhani and Hingoli district respectively, however they are organized as per the need of State Agriculture Department and availability of scientists of the University. The problems identified by the officers and extension workers of State Agriculture Department of the concerned district are thoroughly discussed jointly by the Scientists of the university and suitable measures on that particular problem are given in the meetings. The monthly messages are regularly issued to guide the farmers and extension workers about current problems.

Field Visits :

Need based field visits on current issues are undertaken on farmer’s field of Parbhani and Hingoli districts.

Diagnostic field visits :

In addition to regular field visits, need based diagnostic visits are also carried out in both the districts. The problems are been identified and remedial measures are suggested by diagnostic teams of RAEEC.

Trainings :

The special training programmes for the officers of State Department of Agriculture in addition to the farmers on various subjects are organized and presentations /lectures are delivered by University Scientists.

Special Campaigns : Maza Ek Diwas Mazya Baliraja Sobat :

Under the guidance of Hon. Vice Chancellor and Director of Extension Education the scientists of this centre actively participates in special campaign Maza Ek Diwas Mazya Baliraja Sobat on second Wednesday of every month. In this activity scientists visits on farmers field and interact with them and try to resolve their field related current problems in particular and overall issues of farming in general.

In addition to above activities, Organization of Field days/ Krishi Din, Group Discussions, Agricultural Exhibitions (Participation), Farmers School, Workshops/Seminars, Frontline demonstrations (FLD’s), Study tours, etc are been carried out by this centre..

List of ATIC, VNMKV, Parbhani staff

Full Address

Agricultural Technology Information Centre (ATIC), VNMKV, Parbhani

Basmat Road, Parbhani - 431 402, Maharashtra, India

Contact Us

Contact No: 02452- 209000 ( Time 10.00 am to 6.00 PM during working days)

WhatsApp Helpline: 8329432097 ( Time 10.00 am to 6.00 PM during working days)

VNMKV Parbhani WhatsApp Channel : 8329432097

E-mail: .aticmkvparbhani@gmail.com