Diploma in Agricultural Extension Services for Input Dealers

 Year 1: Fundamentals of Agriculture and Extension Services

1. Basics of Agronomy

• Introduction to agriculture and agronomy
• Soil types and their properties
• Preparation of land and sowing methods
• Crop rotation, mixed and intercropping
• Irrigation methods and scheduling
• Weed management techniques

2. Soil Health and Nutrient Management

• Soil testing and soil health card usage
• Macronutrients and micronutrients
• Types of fertilizers (organic & inorganic)
• Fertilizer recommendations and application methods
• Integrated Nutrient Management (INM)

3. Plant Protection (Part I) – Insect Pest Management

• Identification of major crop pests
• Life cycle and nature of damage
• Economic threshold level (ETL)
• Pesticide types, classification, and usage
• Safe handling and storage of pesticides

4. Plant Protection (Part II) – Disease Management

• Identification of plant diseases (fungal, bacterial, viral)
• Common crop diseases and control measures
• Fungicides, bactericides, and bio-control agents
• Disease forecasting and preventive strategies

5. Seeds and Seed Technology

• Importance of quality seeds
• Seed classes: breeder, foundation, certified
• Seed treatment and storage
• Seed replacement rate (SRR)
• Role of dealers in seed distribution

6. Extension Methods and Communication

• Principles and objectives of agricultural extension
• Role of input dealers as para-extension agents
• Methods of communication (individual, group, mass)
• Conducting farmer meetings and demonstrations
• ICT tools in agriculture (Kisan Call Center, apps)

Year 2: Advanced Crop Production and Agro-Advisory Services

1. Production Practices of Major Crops

• Cereals: Rice, Wheat, Maize
• Pulses: Chickpea, Pigeon pea
• Oilseeds: Groundnut, Mustard, Soybean
• Commercial crops: Cotton, Sugarcane
• Horticultural crops: Vegetables and fruits (basics)

2. Agro-Meteorology and Climate-Smart Farming

• Importance of weather in agriculture
• Weather-based agro-advisories
• Drought, flood, and climate change impacts
• Crop contingency plans
• Agro-climatic zones of India

3. Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM)

• Concepts of IPM and IDM
• Use of pheromone traps and sticky traps
• Biological control agents (Trichoderma, Beauveria)
• Resistance management strategies
• Role of dealers in promoting IPM technologies

4. Agri Inputs and Regulatory Aspects

• Role and responsibilities of input dealers
• Insecticides Act, Fertilizer Control Order (FCO)
• Seed Act and Essential Commodities Act
• Storage and transport of agri-inputs
• Documentation and billing practices

5. Agri-Business and Market Linkages

• Principles of agri-business management
• Pricing, credit, and subsidy schemes
• Marketing of agri-inputs
• Linking farmers to markets (e-NAM, FPOs)
• Record-keeping and stock management

6. Practical Training and Field Exposure

• Field visits to research stations, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)
• Interaction with scientists and extension workers
• On-field identification of pests, diseases, and deficiencies
• Demonstrations and awareness campaigns
• Role play and mock extension meetings