Curtain Raiser: Golden Jubilee Celebration of KVKs

21st March 2024, Puducherry

ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendras are celebrating their Golden Jubilee Year in 2024. The 1st KVK was established by ICAR on 21st March 1974 in Puducherry. The Curtain Raiser of the Golden Jubilee Celebration was held here today.

The Chief Guest, Dr. Sharat Chauhan I.A.S Chief Secretary, Govt of Puducherry, congratulated the Agricultural Administrators, Scientists, and the farming community for the significant achievements in the last few years. He highlighted the highest-ever exports for staple crops such as rice, wheat, sugar, and millet.

  

Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary (DARE) and Director General (ICAR) in his video address stated that the transfer of Technologies by the KVKs has helped in increasing the food grain production & horticultural production in the country. He also said that the KVKs should serve as a comprehensive hub for technology transfer, capacity building, market information, and skill development for farmers at the grassroots level.

  

Dr. Udam Singh Gautham, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension) ICAR, emphasised the efforts of KVKs in assisting the farmers to become successful entrepreneurs with the help of training and skill development. He stated the KVK has been transformed from a mere training institute to a Single Window Agricultural Knowledge and Capacity Development Centre. The DDG urged the KVKs to equip the farmers with skills, technical- knowledge, seeds, and planting materials.

Dr. A.K. Singh, Vice Chancellor, Rani Laxmibhai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi, emphasized the significance of KVKs networking for implementing and transferring technological support to farmers. He urged KVKs to promote agri-business at the district level through start-ups and entrepreneurship at the grassroots level.

Dr. S.K. Singh, Deputy Director General (Horticulture), ICAR, said that the concept of KVKs is unique in the entire agricultural sector. He emphasised the farmers becoming agripreneurs yielding higher profits.

Shri A. Nedunchezhiyan I.A.S, Secretary, (Agriculture), Govt of Puducherry, stated that the Govt of India stresses leveraging technologies for the benefit of the masses and the KVKs to take progressive steps to double farmer’s income.

Dr. V. Geethalakshmi, Vice Chancellor, Tamilnadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, highlighted the efforts of the KVKs in making the farmers tech-savvy and helping them adopt Agriculture 2.0. She sought intervention KVKs to overcome the agricultural challenges of the country such as increased population and reduced land & water resources. Dr. Geethalakshmi expressed concern over climate change and its effect on agricultural practices.

Dr. R.R. Burman and Dr. R.K. Singh, Assistant Directors General (Agricultural Extension) ICAR, and Dr. S. Vasanthakumar, Director, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Puducherry were also present.

Directors of ATARIs, Heads, and other staff members of KVKs participated in the event.

(Source: Indian Council of Agricultural Research)