ATMA Kala Jatha Educates Farmers on FID Registration, PM-Kisan and Crop Insurance Across Dakshina Kannada
BANTWAL, July 29: The Department of Agriculture, Dakshina Kannada, successfully conducted an ATMA (Agricultural Technology Management Agency) Kala Jatha across the district to create awareness among farmers about various government agriculture schemes under the 2026–27 ATMA Project.
The awareness campaign, held from July 17 to July 24, covered hobli centres across Kadaba, Puttur, Sullia, Bantwal, Ullal, Moodbidri, Mulki, Mangaluru and Belthangady taluks.
Using songs, dialogues and street theatre, the Samsara Jodumarga Cultural Team presented information in a simple and engaging manner, helping farmers understand important agricultural initiatives and digital services offered by the department.
The performances highlighted the importance of Crop Survey, Farmer ID (FID), Central FID registration, mobile number updates, recording all agricultural land survey numbers, e-KYC, and Digital Consent. Farmers were also guided on how to complete crop surveys using mobile phones and the benefits of digital registration.
The street plays also explained the application process, eligibility criteria and benefits of key government schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), PM-Kisan, Krishi Prashasti, and Krishi Pandit Award.
The awareness programme began with the motivational song "O Bandhu... Bhaginiyare Itta Keliri..." and concluded with another awareness song encouraging farmers to make full use of the Agriculture Department's schemes for improving agricultural productivity.
The Kala Jatha was led by Maunesh Vishwakarma, Director of the Samsara Jodumarga Cultural Team. Artists Prithviraj, Ramesh K. Punacha, Bhuvanesh (B.C. Road), Avani Bellare, Megha Acharya (Uppinangady), Lavanya, Vishas S.J., and Prajwal Perla performed in the programme, delivering key messages through entertaining and informative street plays.
Joint Director of Agriculture Honnappa Gowda said the programme was organised at 18 locations across Dakshina Kannada to ensure that farmers in rural areas receive timely and effective information about departmental schemes.
Director Maunesh Vishwakarma said the cultural team travelled across the district through its 'Ranga Hejje' initiative to spread awareness about agricultural programmes and received an encouraging response from farmers.
The Department of Agriculture hopes such community-based awareness programmes will encourage more farmers to register for government schemes, adopt digital services, and make better use of the support available for agricultural development.
Keywords
ATMA Kala Jatha, Dakshina Kannada Agriculture Department, Farmer Awareness, PM-Kisan Scheme, Farmer ID Registration, Crop Survey, Citizen News Puttur