Exposure under ATMA scheme inspires farmers to adopt advanced machinery and modern farming techniques
Published on: December 21, 2025
By: BTNI
Location: Rajnandgaon, India
A growing shift towards modern and technology-driven agriculture is being witnessed among farmers in Rajnandgaon district, as exposure to global innovations transforms traditional farming practices. Two farmers from Chhuria block—Ekant Chandrakar of village Achholi and Vivek Vaishnav of village Chando—have successfully turned their long-cherished dream of high-tech farming into reality after participating in an international agricultural exhibition under the Agriculture Department’s ATMA (Agricultural Technology Management Agency) scheme.
Inspired by television visuals of farmers in Israel and other countries using advanced agricultural machinery, the two farmers aspired to implement similar techniques on their own fields. However, limited availability of such machinery in local markets failed to satisfy their curiosity and ambition. In November 2025, they approached the Agriculture Department seeking guidance and opportunities to learn modern farming practices.
Under the centrally sponsored Agriculture Extension Reforms (ATMA) scheme, which provides not only technical training but also exposure visits to innovative agricultural hubs across the country, the farmers were selected for an out-of-state educational tour. This opportunity proved to be a turning point in their agricultural journey.
Deputy Director of Agriculture Tikam Singh Thakur informed that upon receiving the farmers’ applications, arrangements were swiftly made to send them to the international “Farm-Tech India” exhibition held at the Labh Ganga Exhibition Centre in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. With financial assistance from the department, a total of six farmers from the district participated in the three-day international fair.
The exhibition featured advanced agricultural machinery showcased by multinational companies from India and abroad, along with on-site experts offering technical insights. Direct interaction with specialists and hands-on observation of modern equipment significantly boosted the confidence and enthusiasm of the participating farmers, motivating them to adopt advanced farming methods.
After returning from the educational tour, farmers Ekant Chandrakar and Vivek Vaishnav invested ₹1.70 lakh in a machine-bed planter cum seeder and ₹1.50 lakh in a harrow machine. Using these modern tools, they have successfully sown maize over 15 acres, wheat over 10 acres, and mustard over 17 acres.
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Sharing their experience, the farmers stated that machine-based sowing has reduced unnecessary expenditure while ensuring proper spacing of seeds and fertilizers, leading to lower weed infestation and improved crop management. They credited the ATMA scheme as a crucial support system that enabled them to move away from traditional practices and embrace progressive, sustainable agriculture.
The success of these farmers is now inspiring others in the district to explore modern agricultural technologies, signaling a promising shift towards innovation-led farming in rural Chhattisgarh.
