In a move to enhance agricultural services, the Tamil Nadu government has designated 127 Agricultural Extension Officers (AEOs) in Coimbatore district as part of the revamped Uzhavar Aluvalar Thodarbu Thittam (UATT 2.0). These officers will serve as a central point of contact for farmers, offering information on agricultural practices and government initiatives. The appointments span across all 228 village panchayats in the district, with each AEO responsible for specific areas within the panchayats.
Under the UATT 2.0 program, each officer will manage an agricultural region ranging from 2,922 to 3,200 acres, covering one to three panchayats in a block. This initiative addresses the farmers’ longstanding request for a more streamlined and accessible system. Previously, farmers had to engage with multiple departments for information on schemes and technical assistance, but the new system integrates these services, providing farmers with a single officer for guidance and updates.
The deployment of AEOs at the grassroots level aligns with a recent government directive. Of the total sanctioned positions, 63 officers are from the Agriculture Department, 47 from the Horticulture Department, and 17 from the Agricultural Marketing and Agri-Business Department. The newly appointed AEOs have a transition period of two weeks to fulfill any pending duties in their original departments before fully assuming their roles under UATT 2.0.
Farmers in the district have lauded the initiative, anticipating reduced delays, improved coordination, and timely information dissemination on subsidies, crop advice, market prices, and infrastructure support through the streamlined system. They believe that having a dedicated extension officer at the panchayat level will enhance accessibility and strengthen the delivery of government services. This scheme is poised to enhance communication between farmers and the government, ultimately fostering productivity and administrative efficiency in the agricultural domain.
