Krishi Vigyan Kendras (Farm Science Centre)

Why in News?

Government makes continuous efforts to upgrade the infrastructure of KVKs across the Country for better services to the farmers.

• KRISHI – Knowledge based Resource Information System Hub for Innovation in agriculture
• Establishment – Based on the recommendation of the Education Commission (1964-66), Planning commission and by Dr. Mohan Singh Mehta committee (1973).

1^st KVK, on a pilot basis, was established in 1974 at Pondicherry under the administrative control of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Currently, there are about 731 KVKs.

• It is 100% financed by Government of India.

• Mandate – They are an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS).
  • On-farm testing
  • Frontline demonstrations
  • Capacity development
  • Knowledge and Resource Centre
  • Farm advisories

• Activities – They assess technologies and conduct technology demonstration in farmers’ fields for their adoption by the farmers.
• They produce quality technological products (seed, planting material, bio-agents, livestock) and make it available to farmers.
• They identify and document selected farm innovations and converge with ongoing schemes and programs within the mandate of KVK.
• Monitoring and review – It is done regularly at
  • National level – Indian Council of Agricultural Research
  • Zonal level – Agricultural Technology Application Research Institutes
  • University level – Agricultural Universities
  • District level – Scientific Advisory Committee
• They are also reviewed by the Government periodically through Quinquennial Review Teams and 3^rd Party.

Reference

1. PIB| Upgrading Infrastructure of Krishi Vigyan Kendras
2. KVK| Krishi Vigyan Kendras