Understanding RAS Personnel in Agriculture

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Questions and Answers

What are RAS personnel primarily responsible for?

Managing agricultural policies

Promoting international trade

Supporting farmers with advice on technologies (correct)

Conducting scientific research

RAS personnel have been successful in promoting Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA).

False

What does RAS stand for?

Rural Advisory Services

The framework conditions that support organizations in their roles effectively are known as the _____ environment.

enabling Signup and view all the answers

Match the following sectors that require coordination for promoting CSA:

Forestry = Related agricultural sector Energy = Related agricultural sector Water = Related agricultural sector Finance = Related agricultural sector Signup and view all the answers

What are some key factors in enabling climate change action by RAS?

Effective coordinated governance, access to agro-meteorological information, skill development Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are considered critical domains in rural development?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Risk financing aims at minimizing risk and uncertainty faced by farmers.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is the aim of the Foodgrain Management domain?

To protect farmers against unexpected market price volatility and maintain buffer stocks Signup and view all the answers

Natural Resource Management promotes water and soil conservation and __________.

biodiversity conservation Signup and view all the answers

During the budgetary years analyzed, which critical domain showed a decline in percentage allocation?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Which thematic area received increased attention in budget allocations over the years?

Risk financing Signup and view all the answers

The total percentage allocation on critical domains increased from 2010-11 to 2016-17.

False Signup and view all the answers

Research & Extension emphasizes on strategic research and capacity building in __________.

climate change adaptation Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Understanding RAS Personnel and Their Role

RAS personnel working in the field possess a deep understanding of local vulnerabilities and the support networks available.
Farmers are more open to advice from RAS due to a history of positive support concerning new technologies and practices.
RAS has facilitated the formation of farmer groups to address natural resource management and marketing issues collectively.

Contribution to Food Security and CSA Challenges

RAS significantly enhances food security through guidance on improved agricultural techniques.
Despite contributions, RAS struggles to effectively promote Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA), which requires a balanced approach between food security, adaptation, and mitigation strategies.
Limited technical and functional capacities hinder RAS from fully understanding and promoting CSA effectively.

Institutional and Policy Barriers

Individual and organizational weaknesses exist in RAS capabilities, such as the ability to respond quickly to changes, promote planned adaptation, and engage in continuous learning.
Institutional and policy challenges also hinder RAS effectiveness in CSA promotion.

Enabling Environment for CSA Promotion

An enabling environment consists of laws, regulations, and incentives that clearly define the mandate and operational roles of organizations like RAS.
For RAS, essential framework conditions include policies, institutional arrangements, stakeholder involvement, infrastructure, and knowledge access.

Importance of Policy Coherence and Coordination

Successful promotion of adaptation and mitigation strategies across landscapes requires effective coordination among various agricultural sectors and related fields (forestry, energy, water, finance, and insurance).
Key factors for enabling climate action involving RAS include coordinated governance, access to agro-meteorological data, and development of climate-related skills among personnel.

Productivity Enhancement and Production Augmentation

Encompasses interventions in nutrient management, genetic resource conservation, and value chain management.
Integrates aquatic fish culture systems and riverine ecosystem conservation.
Aims to develop a sustainable, profitable, and climate-resilient agricultural system across sectors.

Risk Financing

Includes schemes designed to mitigate risks faced by farmers due to adverse weather, natural disasters, and pest outbreaks.
Facilitates easy and affordable access to credit for farmers.

Foodgrain Management

Protects farmers from market price volatility and maintains buffer stocks.
Supports food processing capacity enhancement and modernization of storage facilities, including cold storage and warehouses.

Rural Livelihood Security

Focuses on sustaining and diversifying rural livelihoods.
Promotes human capability development through skill training, education, and health security.
Provides safety nets via cash transfers, wage employment, and supports effective grassroots institutions.

Natural Resource Management

Implements programs to enhance climate resilience of agro-ecosystems.
Activities include water and soil conservation, afforestation, and development of irrigation facilities.
Covers coastal management and biodiversity conservation initiatives.

Research & Extension

Emphasizes strategic research and technology demonstrations related to climate change.
Develops efficient early warning systems and capacity-building activities for adaptation and mitigation.

Budgetary Allocations for Thematic Areas

Analysis of budgetary allocation across identified thematic areas over time (2010-11, 2015-16, 2016-17).
Notable decline in budget proportions for rural livelihood security, natural resource management, and production augmentation in recent years.
Increased focus on risk financing, evident from rising allocations.
Foodgrain management expenditure rose in 2015-16 but declined in 2016-17.
Overall percentage allocation for critical domains decreased from 26.4% (2010-11) to 24.0% (2016-17).
Rural livelihood security consistently holds the largest expenditure share, while research & extension and risk financing comprise a small portion of total spending.

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Description

This quiz explores the role of RAS personnel in agriculture, particularly at the field level. It highlights how their deep understanding of local vulnerability and support networks enables them to effectively advise farmers on improved practices and technologies. Additionally, it covers the mobilization of farmers' groups to address natural resource challenges.