No, AO (Agriculture Officer) and AFO (Agriculture Field Officer) are not the same, although they both work in the agricultural sector and may have overlapping roles in promoting agricultural development. An Agriculture Officer (AO) is generally a broader designation used in various government departments, including state agriculture departments and organizations like NABARD, where the officer is responsible for planning, monitoring, and implementing agricultural policies, schemes, and extension services. On the other hand, an Agriculture Field Officer (AFO) is a specialized post in banks, particularly under the Specialist Officer cadre in public sector banks, where the primary role is to support farmers by promoting agricultural loans, evaluating credit proposals, and providing technical guidance related to crops, soil, and farming practices. While AOs may operate at policy and administrative levels with broader jurisdiction, AFOs are more field-oriented, focusing on direct farmer interaction and financial inclusion. So, while both are agriculture-related roles, they differ in terms of their institutional affiliation, responsibilities, and the nature of their work.

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