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Kisan Sarathi was launched jointly by the Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare with the Minister for Electronics and Information Technology recently.
About Kisan Sarathi initiative
- It is a digital platform which facilitates farmers to get ‘right information at right time’ in their desired language.
- It was launched on the occasion of 93rd ICAR Foundation Day.
- With the digital platform, the farmers can interact and avail personalised advisories on agriculture and allied areas directly from the respective scientists of KrishiVigyan Kendra (KVKs).
- ‘KisanSarathi’ initiative will be highly valuable not only in addressing the location specific information needs of the farmers but also in Agricultural Extension, Education and Research activities of ICAR.
About the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
- It was established on 16 July 1929 and was formerly known as the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research.
- It is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
- It is headquartered at New Delhi.
- It is the apex body for coordinating, guiding and managing research and education in agriculture including horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences in the entire country.
- ICAR is responsible for coordinating agricultural education and research in India.
- The Union Minister of Agriculture serves as its president.
- It is the largest network of agricultural research and education institutes in the world.
- It has entrusted the responsibility of conducting All India Entrance Examinations for admission to UG, PG & Ph.D Courses in AUs, and award of scholarships and fellowships to the NTA from 2019 onwards.
Krishi Vigyan Kendra(KVK)
- KVK is an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS).
- KVKs aims at assessment of location specific technology modules in agriculture and allied enterprises, through technology assessment, refinement and demonstrations.
- KVKs have been functioning as Knowledge and Resource Centre of agricultural technology supporting initiatives of public, private and voluntary sectors for improving the agricultural economy.
- KVKs are sanctioned to Agricultural Universities, ICAR institutes, related Government Departments and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) working in Agriculture.
- The first KVK was established in 1974 at Puducherry.
Source: PIB
