NATP initiated in India with the financial assistance from World Bank by the Govt. of India during November, 1998. It consists of three main components. The first is to improve the efficiency of the organizational and management system of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Second one is to enhance the performance and effectiveness of research programmes and scientists in responding to location specific needs of farmers. Third one is to pilot testing innovations to improve management of technology dissemination activities with greater accountability to and participation by the farming community. The first two components are to be implemented by the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) in India with the financial provision of Rs 736.94 crores. The third component is to be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India in 28 districts of seven states (4 districts in each state i.e. Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh) with the financial provision of Rs 124.37 crores. In Himachal Pradesh Shimla district was selected during 1st phase Hamirpur in 2nd, Kangra in 3rd and Bilaspur in 4th phase. As a crucial requirement of this component the concept of Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) at district level has been introduced as an autonomous organization by providing flexible environment with an objective of integrating efforts of Research, Extension and all other stakeholders to support farmer needs through an integrated approach of strategic plan.