In the context of India, highlight the importance of agriculture extension. What are the challenges faced in provisioning of agriculture extension services? How does the National Mission on Agricultural Extension & Technology (NMAET) address these issues?

Agriculture accounts for 16% of GDP in India's 63% but 45% of workforce population lives in rural areas where upliftment agriculture extension is essential. Importance of agriculture extension - 1. Promotes production and productivity with in agriculture and ensure food security. 2. Livelihood to many small and marginal farmers. 3. Employment generation and increased income would attract youth to agriculture. 4. Increased income would attract youth to agriculture. Challenges faced - 1. Small average land holding - 2.6 acres in India. 2. Lack of investment by farmers. 3. Not easily available facilities as credit, etc. 4. Indebtedness of farmers - a that are largely to non-institutional investors. 5. Absence of supporting infrastructure eg cold chain. 6. Declining resources - 6.1. Soil fertility 6.2. Water resources groundwater 7. Excessive dependence on fertilisers & pesticides (Nicked father (N:P:K=4:2:1 is right bet in sk.H.I).

5. Extra income by allied activities eg livestock, dairy, fisheries Challenges faced - 1. Small average land holding - 2.6 acres in India. 2. Lack of investment by farmers. 3. Not easily available facilities as credit, etc. 4. Indebtedness of farmers - a that are largely to non-institutional investors. 5. Absence of supporting infrastructure eg cold chain. 6. Declining resources - 6.1. Soil fertility 6.2. Water resources groundwater 7. Excessive dependence on fertilisers & pesticides (Nicked father (N:P:K=4:2:1 is right bet is sk.H.I)).

National mission on agriculture extension & technology helps in - 1. Promotion of allied activities of poultry, dairy. 2. Technological aid of AI using off ISRO's Bhuvam. 3. Institutional credit facility. India must seek for agriculture extension to achieve aim of doubling farmers income by 2022.