Krishi Vigyan Kendra

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi has started the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in all the districts of the country with the following mandate.

Mandate

Conducting on-farm testing to identify the location specificity of agricultural technologies under various farming systems.
Organizing frontline demonstrations to establish production potential of various crops and enterprises on the farmers’ fields.
Organizing need based training for farmers to update their knowledge and skills in modern agricultural technologies related to technology assessment, refinement and demonstration, and training of extension personnel to orient them in the frontier areas of technology development
Creating awareness about improved agricultural technologies among various clienteles through an appropriate extension programmes
Production of quality seeds, planting materials, livestock breeds, animal products, bio-products etc., as per the demand and supply the same to different clienteles
Work as resource and knowledge centre of Agricultural Technology to support the initiatives of public, private and voluntary sectors for improving the agricultural economy of the district

To achieve these mandates 07 KVKs are functioning under the administrative control of University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore as detailed below:

Each KVK is provided with 16 technical and non technical staff headed by the Senior Scientist & Head (Associate Professors Cadre) and Six Scientists (Assistant Professors Cadre) in the discipline of Crop production, Extension, Horticulture, Plant Protection, Animal Sciences, Home Sciences etc., are provided to assist and implement the mandated activities of KVK.

Further, three Training Assistant Cadre – Farm Manager, Programme Assistant (Computer) and One Technical Assistant in the most relevant discipline are also provided to assist the Senior Scientist & Head and his staff to carry out the functions of the KVK.The Krishi Vigyan Kendras provide intensive hands on training in various aspects of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and so on to encourage unemployed farm youth and farmwomen to start their own agrobased enterprise in their locality. These KVKs would also conduct on-farm testing of various agricultural and allied technologies for refinement and conduct frontline demonstrations on oilseeds, cereals and pulses.

The Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) is the advisory body to plan and review the activities of the KVKs. The SAC is headed by the Vice-chancellor as the chairman, Director of Extension, Zonal Coordinator, ICAR and Officers of the Developmental Departments of the district, two farmers, two farmwomen as the members and the Sr. Scientist & Head of the KVK as a member – secretary.