Source: Kurukshethra Magazine
Background
The first KVK was established in 1974 at Puducherry. The number of KVKs has risen to 645 and 106 more KVKs are to be established in the newly created districts and some larger districts.
Key features
- The KVK scheme is 100% financed by Govt. of India and the KVKs are sanctioned to Agricultural Universities, ICAR institutes, related Government Departments and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) working in Agriculture
- KVK is an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS), which aims at the 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 of the district and are linking the NARS with extension system and farmers.
KVK System: Mandate and Activities
The mandate of KVK is Technology Assessment and Demonstration for its Application and Capacity Development. To implement the mandate effectively, the following activities are envisaged for each KVK;
- On-farm testing to assess the location specificity of agricultural technologies under various farming systems.
- Frontline demonstrations to establish the production potential of technologies on the farmers’ fields.
- Capacity development of farmers and extension personnel to update their knowledge and skills on modern agricultural technologies.
- To work as Knowledge and Resource Centre of agricultural technologies for supporting initiatives of the public, private and voluntary sectors in improving the agricultural economy of the district.
- Provide farm advisories using ICT and other media means on varied subjects of interest to farmers
- In addition, KVKs produce quality technological products (seed, planting material, bio-agents, livestock) and make it available to farmers, organize frontline extension activities, identify and document selected farm innovations and converge with ongoing schemes and programs within the mandate of KVK.
Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) Portal
The Government has launched Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) Portal which will help in monitoring the functioning of KVKs at the National level and in providing timely information and advisory to the farmers.
Aim
The aim of the portal is to transfer the technologies developed by the agricultural scientists to the farmers in a fast and effective manner using the web and mobile technology as well as to monitor the activities of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).
