Krishi Vigyan Kendra's (KVK) | Agriculture Optional Notes for UPSC PDF Download

What are KVK – Krishi Vigyan Kendra?

• Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) are agricultural extension centers established by the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) and its associated organizations at the district level.
• KVKs play a vital role within the National Agricultural Research System (NARS) by bridging the gap between NARS and the farming community.
• These KVK centers offer diverse forms of assistance to the agricultural sector and aim to raise awareness about enhanced agricultural technologies.

KVK Overview

• In 1974, the first Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) was established as a pilot project in Puducherry (Pondicherry) and was under the administrative supervision of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University located in Coimbatore.
• KVKs are officially designated to Agricultural Universities, ICAR institutes, relevant Government Departments, and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) engaged in the field of Agriculture. Typically, each KVK is affiliated with a local agricultural university.
• All KVKs are under the jurisdiction of one of the 11 Agricultural Technology Application Research Institutes (ATARIs) spread across India.
• These Krishi Vigyan Kendras are entirely funded by the Government of India and play a critical role in achieving the objective of doubling farmers' income in the near future.

Krishi Vigyan Kendra Features

• Creation of valuable resources in terms of technical manpower and assets
• Confirmation of technologies to suit local specificity
• Showcasing the frontier technologies
• Capacity-building among stakeholders
• Front runner in technological application, information and inputs
• Participatory approaches in planning, implementing, executing and evaluation

KVK – Aims & Objectives 

• Krishi Vigyan Kendra has a crucial role in conducting field trials to showcase agricultural technologies that are tailored to specific geographical locations.
• Its primary objective is to evaluate agricultural and allied technologies suited for particular regions through the processes of technology assessment, enhancement, and practical demonstrations. This approach brings agricultural research into real-world, localized scenarios.
• Krishi Vigyan Kendras also serve as Knowledge and Resource Centers for agricultural technology, offering support for initiatives aimed at enhancing the agricultural sector's performance, whether they come from the public, private, or voluntary sectors, all in an effort to improve the district's agricultural economy.

Mandate of KVK

• The primary mission of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) includes evaluating and demonstrating the practical application of agricultural technologies and building the capacity of stakeholders. To achieve this mission effectively, KVKs engage in the following activities:
• On-farm testing involves setting up small farms to assess the suitability of new technologies, such as seed varieties or innovative farming methods, in diverse farming systems and specific locations.
• Frontline demonstrations entail organizing programs to showcase the effectiveness of new technologies, highlighting their production potential on farmers' fields.
• Capacity development efforts focus on equipping farmers and extension personnel with updated knowledge and skills related to modern agricultural technologies.
• KVKs serve as Knowledge and Resource Centers for various agricultural technologies, providing support to initiatives from the public, private, and voluntary sectors aimed at enhancing the agricultural economy of the district.
• Advisory services are provided through information and communication technologies and other media, offering guidance on diverse topics of interest to farmers, including weather forecasts and market pricing.
• Additionally, KVKs produce high-quality technological products such as seeds, planting materials, bio-agents, and livestock, making them accessible to farmers. They also organize extension activities, document noteworthy farm innovations, and coordinate with ongoing schemes and programs within their defined scope.

Krishi Vigyan Kendra – KVK Portal

The government has introduced an online portal for Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) to oversee and provide timely guidance to all KVK centers on a national scale.

KVK Portal - Objectives

• To monitor the activities and resource utilization of various Krishi Vigyan Kendras. b. To establish a comprehensive database of programs conducted by KVKs. c. To assist farmers in addressing their queries through the web portal and mobile technology. d. To swiftly deliver relevant information to farmers, including weather updates and market data, and inform them about the services and activities offered by KVKs. e. To allow stakeholders, such as farmers and Agricultural Officers, to register and access pertinent information about different Krishi Vigyan Kendras.

Aim of Krishi Vigyan Kendra Portal

The primary goal of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra Portal is to efficiently transfer agricultural technologies developed by scientists to farmers using web and mobile technology while also overseeing KVK activities.

Recent Developments in Agriculture

• The eNAM portal has been established to enable farmers to obtain better prices for their produce. More details about the e-National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) can be found on the linked page.
• Improved crop varieties, such as HD 4728 (Pusa Malvi) in wheat, have been introduced.
• Over three lakh Common Service Centres (CSCs) have been established.
• A total of 171 mobile apps have been developed to aid farmers, such as Kisan Suvidha.