Krishi Vigyan Kendra (Farm Science Centre, 1974)

History

• Establishment of the First KVK (1974): The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) established the first KVK at Pondicherry (Puducherry) under the auspices of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.
• Expansion and Policy Support (1980s): Recognizing its potential, the program expanded during the Sixth Five-Year Plan (1980-85). KVKs were established in various states to cater to the specific needs of different agro-climatic zones.
• Focus on Transfer of Technology: KVKs were set up with the mission of on-farm testing, training of farmers and rural youth, and frontline demonstrations to showcase the benefits of proven technologies.
• Rapid Growth (1990s Onwards): During the 1990s, the number of KVKs increased significantly to cover all districts of India. Today, there are over 700 KVKs operating under ICAR, State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), NGOs, and other organizations.
• Current Role: KVKs are instrumental in disseminating technologies, conducting need-based training, providing advisory services, and promoting entrepreneurship among farmers, especially small and marginal ones.

Purpose and Concept

• The Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) is a vital initiative developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) aimed at transferring agricultural technologies directly from laboratories to farmers’ fields.
• KVKs focus on promoting rural development by transferring technology in core agricultural fields, such as Crop Production, Plant Protection, Horticulture, Livestock Management, and Soil Water Conservation.

Key Objectives of KVKs

• Technology Demonstration: Demonstrating new and improved technologies developed by ICAR and State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) directly in the farmers’ fields to promote practical application.

• Problem Identification and Prioritization: Identifying key agricultural problems in a region based on the needs of farmers. Prioritizing these problems according to their significance and impact on local farming practices.

• Feedback Collection and Communication: Gathering feedback from farmers and extension agencies. Communicating this information back to research scientists to refine and improve technologies.

• Training and Extension Services: Conducting training sessions for villagers on various farming practices and technologies. Utilizing various methods like On-Farm Trials (OFTs), Frontline Demonstrations (FLDs), Kisan Gosthies, and Farmer Fairs to engage with farmers.

• Support for Extension Agencies and NGOs: Providing relevant agricultural knowledge and technologies to extension agencies and NGOs to disseminate this information widely. Aiming to enhance economic conditions in rural areas by spreading improved agricultural practices.

• Extension Models Testing: Preparing and verifying extension models in farmers’ fields with active farmer participation to build confidence and trust.

Impact of KVKs

• Strengthened knowledge transfer from research institutions to farmers, making modern technologies accessible.
• Promoted collaborative development efforts, ensuring practical and scalable solutions to agricultural challenges.
• Contributed significantly to improving agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods.

T & V System (Training and Visit System)

Purpose and Objective

• The Training and Visit (T & V) System, introduced by Daniel Benor, is an extension approach designed to ensure the regular transfer of technical knowledge to farmers.

• Initially implemented by the World Bank in India during the early 1970s, following successful trials in Turkey.

• It aimed to provide regular, organized, and systematic extension services to farmers to promote improved farming practices and technologies.

Key Components of the T & V System

Two-Stage Knowledge Transfer Process

• Training: Transfer of knowledge from subject matter specialists (experts in agriculture) to extension workers.

• Visits: Extension workers then transfer this knowledge to farmers during field visits, ensuring direct interaction and practical guidance.

Organisational Structure of T & V System

• Single-Line Administrative Command: The extension services operate under a single-line technical and administrative command within the Ministry or Department of Agriculture.

• Dedicated Extension Staff: All extension staff focuses solely on agricultural extension, ensuring specialization and deep engagement in extension activities.

• Regular Field Visits and Interaction: The Village Extension Worker (VEW) must visit farmers on a fixed, scheduled day every fortnight.Regular interaction helps maintain a strong farmer-researcher link, ensuring that the challenges and solutions are effectively communicated.

Fortnightly Training and Monthly Workshops

• Key meetings and workshops are held on a fortnightly basis, serving to:
  • Address immediate farmers’ problems.
  • Share research findings that are immediately relevant to local farming conditions.
  • Develop production recommendations tailored to specific local agricultural contexts.

Joint Field Visits and Workshops for Extension Staff

• Organizing joint field visits, seasonal workshops, and monthly meetings helps strengthen the link between research findings and real-world application.
• These interactions ensure that agricultural research insights are seamlessly integrated into farmers’ practices.

Key Objectives of the T & V System

• Efficient Technology Transfer: Ensuring that every field receives timely and expert agricultural knowledge.
• Continuous Training of Extension Agents: Enhancing the professional capability of extension workers through regular training sessions.
• Farmer Engagement and Interaction: Establishing a robust system for continuous engagement with farmers, ensuring that technical knowledge translates into practical adoption.
• Research and Feedback Integration: Creating a feedback loop where farmers’ practical challenges inform research scientists, facilitating the development of more effective solutions.

Lab to Land Programme (LLP)

• Launch Year: 1979, initiated by the ICAR as part of its Golden Jubilee celebration.

• Purpose:

• • Aims to uplift the economic status of small and marginal farmers, landless labourers, and especially those from scheduled castes (SC) and scheduled tribes (ST).
  • Focus on transferring improved agricultural technologies developed by research institutes, agricultural universities, and extension services to farmers.

• Key Outcomes:

• • Improved access to technology, research insights, and scientifically developed farming practices.
  • Enhanced productivity, profitability, and economic sustainability in rural areas.

National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP)

• Initiation: 1998, in collaboration with the World Bank and Ministry of Agriculture, India.
• Objective: Aims to bring significant changes in the Research and Extension system of the agricultural sector.

• Components of NATP:

• • Organisation and Management System
    • Strengthens administrative structures to facilitate efficient technology transfer.

• • Agricultural Research
    • Promotes focused research tailored to local conditions and farmer requirements

• • Technology Dissemination Innovations
    • Utilizes modern and effective methods to transfer technology and research outcomes to farmers.

• Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs):

• • Directorate of Extension (DOE)
  • National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE)
  • NATP cell located at State Headquarters
  • State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (SAMETI)
  • District-Level Agricultural Technology Management Agencies (ATMAs)

4. Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA)

• Purpose: A district-level society responsible for technology dissemination and agricultural development.

Key Features of ATMA:

• Comprehensive Linkage:

• • Acts as a connecting hub with government departments, research organizations, NGOs, and private agencies.
  • Integrates local research and extension units, like KVKs (Krishi Vigyan Kendra), substations, and key agricultural departments (Animal Husbandry, Horticulture, etc.).

• Objective:

• • Ensures a smooth transfer of agricultural technologies, research insights, and extension knowledge.
  • Facilitates collaborative interactions between stakeholders, from research institutes to NGOs, to address local farming challenges.

• Impact:

• • Strengthens regional agricultural development.
  • Provides customized solutions based on regional farming conditions, social structures, and economic realities.

Conclusion

• These initiatives (LLP, NATP, and ATMA) collectively form a robust technology transfer system in India.
• They aim to address field-level challenges, improve farm productivity, promote socio-economic equity, and uplift small and marginal farmers, ensuring a balanced and productive agricultural ecosystem.