Diploma in Agricultural Extension Services for Input Dealers

    As government report reveals that an agri-input dealer is the first contact pointand prime source of farm information to the farming community, but majority of these dealers are not having any formal agricultural education. This leads to excessive and misuse of pesticides and fertilizers by the farmers, which raised an entirely new set of issues, such as air and water pollution, soil deterioration, and indebted farmers.

    To address these problems, government started a one-year diploma programme, known as Diploma in Agricultural Extension Services for Input Dealers (DAESI), to provide formal agricultural knowledge to agri-input dealers. Also, it is felt that if these dealers can be shaped as para-extension professionals by providing requisite knowledge, they can professionalize extension services and contribute to bring a paradigm shift in our Agriculture.

    The National Institute of Agriculture Extension Management (MANAGE) had designed this one-year diploma programme and entrusted SAMETI of every state to implement it in every district through state agriculture department, ATMAs, KVKs or any agricultural college/university. In Punjab, PAMETI is implementing this diploma programme since 2018 in different districts.

    Currently, five (5) batches of DAESI are successfully conducting classes - two at PAMETI, one at ATMA-Faridkot and two at ATMA- Sri Muktsar Sahib. PAMETI conducted valedictory function for two batches of DAESI, in which degrees were distributed to all passed candidates and participants who cleared the diploma with distinction were being honored. The function was graced by Dr. G.S. Buttar, Director of Extension Education, PAU; Dr. R.K. Dhaliwal, Dean, College of Agriculture, PAU; and Dr. H.S. Dhaliwal, Former Director, PAMETI.