ICAR Celebrated Golden Jubilee of Krishi Vigyan Kendras
Why in News?
Recently, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has celebrated the Golden Jubilee of Krishi Vigyan Kendras in 2024.
Key Points
- The first Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK) was established by the ICAR on 21st March 1974.
- At present India has a network of 731 KVKs, where each KVK serves more than 5000 farmers.
- KVK network is spread across various states such as Haryana, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, West Bengal, etc.
- KVKs serve as a comprehensive hub for technology transfer, capacity building, market information, and skill development for farmers at the grassroots level.
Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK)
- KVK is an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS).
- The mandate of KVK is technology assessment and demonstration for its application and capacity development.
- It aims at assessment of location specific technology modules in agriculture and allied enterprises, through technology assessment, refinement and demonstrations.
- KVKs also produce quality technological products (seed, planting material, bio-agents, livestock) and make it available to farmers.
- The KVK scheme is 100% financed by the Government of India and the KVKs are sanctioned to Agricultural Universities, ICAR institutes, related Government Departments and Non Government Organizations (NGOs) working in Agriculture.
- KVKs act as a bridge between the laboratories and farmland. According to the Government, these are crucial to fulfilling the target of doubling farmers’ income by 2022.