Dr. Shaik.N.Meera
Director
ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI), Zone-X
Dr. Shaik N. Meera has notable professional accomplishments in the field of digital agriculture and extension systems, with substantial international experience. With unique blend of domain expertise in ICT and extension, he led large scale impact acceleration efforts in India and abroad.
During 2020-22, he worked as Senior Technical Expert (Digital Agriculture and Extension Systems) at International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). He designed and deployed innovative digital extension strategies and programs across the rural value chains in 18 countries in Near East, North Africa, Central Asia and Europe (NEN) region. He extended technical support to national and International organizations in modernizing their extension programs with Mobile and Cloud Computing.
During 2003-2020, he led 14 large-scale extension, ICT and development projects. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recognized the Rice Knowledge Management Portal developed by him as Consortium Leader, as one of the best use case of digital applications in agriculture (B: C Ratio of 1.46:1).
As National Coordinator of Indian Frontline Demonstrations Program, Dr. Meera coordinated 10,640 FLDs with 106 AICRIP centres and 54 KVKs and had introduced 375 new rice varieties/ hybrids, benefitting 26,600 rice farmers directly
- The Director General, ICAR and Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education, GOI, is the principal executive of the Council. He is supported by 8 Deputy Director Generals including a Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension) who is responsible for implementation of the agricultural extension programmes in the counseling and giving advice to him on all policy issues related to extension programmes.
- The DDG (Agricultural Extension) is the head of Agricultural Extension Division of the council which is one of the 8 divisions. The division is responsible for co-ordination of front line extension education programmes of the ICAR at national level. The DDG (Agricultural Extension) is assisted by 3 Assistant Director Generals ( Agricultural Extension) .
- There are 8 zonal coordinating unitslocated in eight zones of the country. Each ZCU is headed by a Zonal coordinator. Coordination and monitoring functions at the zonal level is being performed by the ZC unit.
- The grantee/host institution has to provide overall supervision of the programme in the KVK. The Programme co-ordinator of the KVK is the principal executive officer of the respective Kendra.
- The authority and monitoring mechanism of the KVK, are depicted in the following flow diagram