Diploma in Agricultural Extension Services for Input Dealers (DAESI)
Punjab Agricultural Management & Extension Training Institute (PAMETI), PAU Campus, Ludhiana is conducting Diploma in Agricultural Extension Services for Input Dealers (DAESI) under the sponsorship of National Institute of Agriculture Extension Management (MANAGE)-Hyderabad, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, GoI. As per guidelines issued by ministry, the input dealers are required to have a degree in Agricultural Sciences/Biochemistry/Biotechnology/Life Sciences or a B.Sc. in Chemistry, Botany or Zoology from a recognized or may undergo this diploma programme to continue their services as authorized dealers/distributors.
The decision was taken by ministry after considering the fact that agri-input dealers are the first contact point for majority of farmers. They are the prime source of farm information to the farming community. Naturally, while buying various inputs needed for farming activities, the farmer looks to the dealer to learn about both the quantity and the quality of inputs supplied. However, the majority of these input dealers lack formal education in agriculture. Therefore, it was felt that these input dealers can professionalize extension services and can contribute towards bringing about a paradigm shift in Indian agriculture, if they are trained as para-extension experts by giving them necessary knowledge and skills.
It is in this context, the National Institute of Agriculture Extension Management (MANAGE) had designed a one-year diploma course titled ‘Diploma in Agricultural Extension Services for Input Dealers (DAESI)’, which imparts relevant and location-specific agricultural education to equip these input dealers with sufficient knowledge to transform them into para-extension professionals so as to enable them to address the day-to-day problems being faced by the farmers at field level.
Mission and Objectives
The mission of this diploma is to transform practicing input dealers into para-extension professionals thereby strengthening the agricultural extension system so as to enable these input dealers to serve the farmers better. It has following objectives:
- Orientation of input dealers on location-specific crop production technologies of broad-based agriculture with reference to field problems
- Building the capacity of input dealers in efficient handling of Inputs
- To impart knowledge about the laws governing regulation of agricultural Inputs
- To make input dealers an effective source of farm information at the village level (one stop shop) for the farmers
Duration
The program is spread over a period of 48 weeks with 40 classroom sessions and 08 field visits. During theory classes and field visits, the participants are also provided with hands-on experience on various topics, such as:
- Soil sampling
- Seed treatment
- Seed germination test
- Identification of pests
- Identification of diseases
- Identification of nutrient deficiencies etc.
Time Schedule
Post-Lunch session2.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. (with a tea-break)
| Pre-Lunch session                  | 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. (with a tea-break) |
| Lunch | 1.00 p.m. to 2.00 p.m. |
Who can Apply
The course is open to following who have appeared at least for 10th standard exam:
- the practicing input dealers,
- the candidates sponsored by the input Agencies/agribusiness companies/agri-cooperatives,
- staff of cooperative societies,
- any candidate who aspire to become input dealer after attaining this diploma course.
Fees
- 10,000/- for practicing input dealers and staff of cooperative societies
- 20,000/- for fresh candidates
How to Apply
The interested candidates may contact the coordinators/facilitators from respective/nearby district (contact numbers are provided separately) and submit the following documents:
- Application form (duly filled and signed)
- Copy of 10th class certificate
- Copy of Adhaar Card
- Copy of License for sale of inputs (for input dealers only)
- Copy of Societies’ Registration number (for staff of cooperative society only)
- Two coloured passport size photographs
- Bank draft of mentioned amount against fee
Maintenance of Attendance
The training institute should maintain attendance for classroom sessions (40 days x 2 sessions/day= 80 sessions) and field visits (8 full days). Each candidate should have attended at least 64 classroom sessions and at least Six (6) field visits to qualify for appearing for the final examination.
Examinations
- Quizzes: Four quizzes of objective type, 2 before the mid-term exam and 2 after it, shall be conducted for evaluating classroom performance.
- Mid-term Examination:Mid-term examination shall be conducted after completion of 50 percent of the classes.
- Final Examination: The final examination shall be conducted after completion of the entire course. It consists of theory exam, spotting (Identification of symptoms of damage caused by Pests, Diseases and Nutritional deficiency & other specimens) and Viva.