Introduction
Vasantrao Naik State Agriculture Extension
Management Training Institute; popularly known as VANAMATI is an apex
training institute of Department of Agriculture Government of
Maharashtra. The institute was established on date 1st July 1992 vide GR
No-(PR BHE PA) 1092/CR-2(A)/17-A dated 12.05.1992. The operational area
for the Apex institute is entire State where as for Regional
Institutes; the respective Regions namely Nagpur, Amravati, Aurangabad,
Nasik, Pune, Kolhapur and Thane (Khopoli).
The apex institute is
located at its new campus at VIP Road Dharampeth Nagpur and it has the
responsibility to impart Capacity Building Training to middle and senior
level officials of State Department of Agriculture and Allied Sector.
The
principal lines of activities for institute revolves round the Training
and Development and as such, the Thrust Areas for the organization
are,
Agriculture Extension Management,
Human Resource Development &
Information and Communication Technology
The institute is also entrusted with
the responsibilities of carrying out training and development activities
under World Bank assisted projects such as MWSIP, MACP etc…
In line
with its stated objectives, institute conducts various training
programmes throughout the year and enable intended trainees develop
desired competencies so as to improve performance in the field thereby
supporting farmers in realizing their dreams.
Infrastructure
The institute is in the campus located at VIP Road,
Dharampeth Nagpur in area admeasuring approximately 2 ha. There are two
main blocks viz. Training Premises and Hostel Complex. The facilities
housed in these premises are indicated below:
I. Training Premises – It houses the following components –
Administrative
Block (Offices of Director, Additional Directors, Deputy Directors,
Administrative & Account Officers, World Bank assisted Project
Offices, Library, Computer Lab etc…)
1.Training Halls – There are 4 halls having seating capacity of 30 each
2.
Group Discussion Rooms – There are 3 small rooms attached with each
training hall having capacity to arrange Group Discussion of 6 – 8
members
3. Library – A well maintained library is available for the
trainees in the institute. There are ample books on various subjects
pertaining Agriculture, Agro-Entrepreneurship, Marketing Technology,
Human Resources, Rural Development, Information Technology etc…
4. Computer Lab – The new Computer Lab is having 20 PC(s) with Internet connectivity.
5. Offices for World Bank assisted Projects such as MWSIP, MACP
II. Hostel Complex – It houses the following components-
Living Rooms for Trainees – 60 living rooms are available for trainees on twin sharing basis
Canteen & Dining Hall – It is available to serve for around 100 trainees at a time
Apart
from the above the miscellaneous infrastructure such as space for
parking, recreation room, 4 suites for VIP Guests, furniture, training
aids etc… is available.
Human Resource
The institute is headed by Director who is a Sr. level IAS
Officer and the other middle management personnel engaged in the
institute are on deputation from State Department of Agriculture.
The
institute is also entrusted with the responsibilities of carrying out
training and development activities under World Bank assisted projects
such as MWSIP, MACP etc. For carrying out training activities we have
Master Trainer, Agri-marketing Executive and Agribusiness Specialist one
each in said projects.
Line of Activities & Target Group
The
present line of activities of the institute covers primarily the
training needs of middle & senior level officials of State
Departments of Agriculture and Allied Sector as well. Institute conducts
short training programmes generally of 3 & 5 days of duration.
These programmes are organized by the institute under components of:
a. Strengthening of Agriculture Institutions
b. Extension Reforms
c. World Bank assisted Projects such as MWSIP & MACP
d. ASCAD Scheme of AHD
e. NeGP-A
All the training programmes have a
common focus of enabling management development dimension of the
participating officials. The trainees are expected to sharpen their
managerial skills and develop leadership attitude so as to help perform
effectively while working in Agricultural Extension field. The
participating officials are supposed to be Lead Facilitators for smooth
implementation of various programmes and schemes being implemented by
the department in the State as part of its Extension Interventions.
As
regards the training programmes under World Bank assisted projects are
concerned, they are arranged in accordance with the guidelines as
received from respective Project Coordination Units (PCU).