Over the past many decades, dissemination of Agricultural technology has not effectively percolated to the grass root level inspite of presence of various extension Agencies. Extension Agencies had been addressing the need of farmers, but in an isolated manner with no co-ordination among themselves. One mechanism of all Extension agencies is that they basically have top down approach i.e. planning in lacking at grass root level thus not reflecting ground realities. Likewise technological recommendations emerging from research farm are too general, usually covering the broader Agro-climatic Zones resulting in partial and very less adoption at farmers fields .

          Keeping in the view the above, Extension reforms in India were pilot tested in 28 Distt. of Seven States including Himachal  under Innovations in Technology Dissemination  (ITD) compound  of world bank funded National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP). During the years 1998 to 2005 . This successful experiment served as basis to launch the scheme “Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms ” in the phase 2005 to 2009 and scheme was later upscaled to 252 districts during 10^th plan.

          The resolution made by the National Development council (NDC)  in the year 2007 highlighted the need for revamping and strengthening the extension system  to provide for improving the skill levels of the farming community and harnessing the potential of Information and communication technology  (ICT) in Villages .The national Policy for farmers, 2007 (NPF) envisaged support to State Govt  for strengthening the Extension machinery through e-training and retooling of Existing Extension personnel .

           On the basis of experiences gained during implementation of the Extension reforms scheme from year 2005 to 2009 and after consulting State govt, the Govt of India revised the ongoing centrally sponsored scheme “ support to State Extension Programme for Extension Reforms”  by modifying and strengthening  the earlier scheme into extension reforms (ATMA) scheme.

          A new Institutional arrangement in the form of  Agriculture technology management agency (ATMA) at the Distt Level was created for coordinating the extension  activities involving Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Sericulture, Fisheries and  KVK/ ZRS. Similarly, the State Training institute popularly known as SAMETI Mashobra at Shimla was entrusted with the task of training of Extension functionaries at the State level . The scheme provides for dedicated specilist functionaries support to take up training and extension initiative at State, Distt and Block level. Besides this, improvement in Extension outreach right down to village level is expected to be achieved through FF / FIG .