Annual Zonal Review Workshop 2025 of KVKs, Zone X, Held at VIT Vellore

2–4 September 2025, Vellore

The Annual Zonal Review Workshop 2025 of Krishi Vigyan Kendras of Zone X (Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana) was organized at VIT Campus, Vellore, from 2–4 September 2025. The event was jointly hosted by ICAR–Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Zone X, Hyderabad, and the Directorate of Extension Education, TNAU, Coimbatore.

The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. Rajbir Singh, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension), ICAR, in the presence of Vice-Chancellors of State Agricultural Universities, Dr. Shaik N. Meera, Director, ICAR–ATARI, Hyderabad, Directors of Extension, Heads of 72 KVKs, and eminent scientists.

In his address, Dr. Singh highlighted the pivotal role of the 731 KVKs in frontline extension and called for focused efforts to address emerging challenges in agriculture. He outlined seven action points to strengthen KVKs, including structured training modules, diagnostic labs, agro-processing centres, custom hiring facilities, strengthened seed systems, timely agro-advisories, and farmer volunteer networks. He also emphasized the importance of documenting failure case studies for shared learning.

Delivering the presidential address, Dr. R. Tamizh Vendan, Vice-Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, lauded the contributions of KVKs in varietal promotion, technology dissemination, and convergence with development departments. He also highlighted their role in implementing the Tamil Nadu Government’s flagship programme “Vetri Nichiyam” under the Naan Mudhalvan Finishing School initiative.

Presenting the theme “Modernizing KVKs for a Transformative Agricultural Future”, Dr. Shaik N. Meera reviewed Zone X achievements and announced deliberations across eight thematic areas, including livestock, horticulture, home science, seed systems, and extension innovations. He stated that KVK interventions have significantly improved productivity, incomes, nutrition, and rural empowerment.

Vice-Chancellors from ANGRAU and SVVU (Andhra Pradesh), SKLTHU (Telangana), GNJFU and GRI (Tamil Nadu) also addressed the gathering.

On the occasion, ICAR released several KVK publications and state-specific technology recommendations for the benefit of farmers and policymakers.
Earlier, Dr. P. P. Murugan, Director, Extension Education, TNAU, welcomed the participants.

The workshop was attended by Directors of Extension of SAUs, Programme Coordinators of 72 KVKs, and other stakeholders. A press meet was also organized to highlight technologies identified for large-scale adoption and related policy recommendations.

(Source: ICAR–Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Zone X, Hyderabad)