Hands-on Training on Landscape Diagnostic Survey (LDS) Using Open Data Kit (ODK) Organized at ICAR-ATARI, Kanpur

11 August 2026, Kanpur

A two-day Hands-on Training on Landscape Diagnostic Survey (LDS) using Open Data Kit (ODK) (11-12 August 2026) jointly organized by ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Zone-III, Kanpur and IFPRI, New Delhi was inaugurated at ICAR-ATARI, Zone-III, Kanpur. The training programme aimed at strengthening the capacity of KVK scientists in digital, data-driven and evidence-based agricultural extension for generating reliable field-level information to support research and policy formulation.

Welcoming the participants, Dr Raghwendra Singh, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Zone-III, Kanpur, emphasized that quality data is the greatest strength of an effective agricultural extension system. He further stated that the data collected through the Open Data Kit (ODK) platform would generate reliable, real-time field insights that could be effectively utilized for research prioritization, technology refinement and evidence-based decision making, thereby strengthening regional extension strategies and enhancing the impact of the Landscape Diagnostic Survey.

The participants were sensitized to the importance of focusing the survey on district-specific needs and challenges faced by farmers, ensuring that research, extension interventions, and policy decisions are aligned with local realities and contribute to demand-driven agricultural development. The relevance and utility of the LDS-ODK platform in the present agricultural scenario were also highlighted.

The training was attended by Subject Matter Specialists (SMSs) from various KVKs of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, including KVK Chandauli, Gonda-I, Siddharthnagar, Gaya, Rohtas, and Muzaffarpur. During the technical sessions on the first day, an overview of the Landscape Diagnostic Survey (LDS), including its objectives, scope, and expected outcomes, was provided.

Comprehensive hands-on sessions on the Open Data Kit (ODK)-based digital survey platform covered questionnaire navigation, interview techniques, data entry protocols, validation checks, quality control, troubleshooting, and real-time data collection.

Scientists and project staff from ICAR-ATARI, Kanpur and Patna also participated in the technical sessions and interacted with the experts, facilitating cross-learning and collaborative knowledge sharing throughout the programme.

(Source: ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Zone-III, Kanpur)