Admission No.

AEM-MOOCs/2022/12/714
Name. Priyatosh Debnath
Semester. I
Course code. AEM 101
Course Title. Introduction to Agricultural Extension Management

Signature.
Date. 30/03/2023

6) Krishi Vigyan Kendra’s (KVKs) are the knowledge centers for farmers. Critically
analyze the role of KVKs in meeting the mandated objectives based on your
understanding and interactions with the farmers, KVK scientists and extension
functionaries of development departments.

Introduction:

Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) are agricultural extension units established by the Indian
Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) with the aim of disseminating the latest agricultural
technologies and scientific knowledge to farmers in rural India. The KVKs play a critical role
in meeting the mandated objectives by acting as a bridge between farmers and the scientific
community.

Objectives:

1. Analyze therole of KVKs in meeting the mandated objectives based on my

understanding and interactions with the farmers, KVK scientists and extension
functionaries of development departments.
2. To evaluate the effectiveness of Krishi Vigyan Kendra’s in disseminating up-to-date
agricultural knowledge and technologies to farmers, and to identify the factors that
influence their success.
3. To assess the impact of Krishi Vigyan Kendra extension activities on enhancing the
capacity of farmers to adopt new technologies and better farming practices, and to
identify the barriers that prevent widespread adoption of these practices.

The mandate of KVKs include:

1. Conducting on-farm testing to identify potential production constraints and opportunities.

2. Demonstrating the latest agricultural technologies and methodologies in partnership with

the farmers.

3. Organizing frontline demonstrations on various crops and enterprises.

4. Organizing capacity building programmes to update the knowledge and skills of farmers
and extension personnel.

5. Creating awareness about new farming techniques among farmers to make agriculture a
profitable and sustainable enterprise.

The KVKs function as an effective means of delivering practical agricultural innovations and
techniques to farmers by disseminating up-to-date knowledge and science-based agricultural
practices. KVKs aim to increase food security by utilizing modern agricultural technologies
that bring the benefits of science and technology to the doorstep of farmers. By doing so,
KVKs empower farmers to harness the full potential of their agricultural systems and to raise
productivity, generate income and enhance resilience to the vagaries of climate change.

In order to analyse the role of KVKs in meeting its mandated objectives, I have interacted
with farmers, KVK scientists, and extension functionaries of development departments.
These interactions suggest that KVKs are playing an important role in enhancing the capacity
of farmers to adopt new technologies and better farming practices.

KVKs have a deep understanding of local farm conditions and production practices, and they
provide customized technical solutions to farmers. For example, KVK can help farmers
choose the right crop varieties based on the soil and climate of their area, provide guidance
on sustainable farming practices, advise on soil health management, and offer solutions to
pest and disease problems.

In addition, KVKs conduct on-farm trials and demonstrations to introduce and test new
agricultural technologies and practices. This is particularly helpful for farmers to visualize
and learn new methodologies in a practical context. The demonstrations are not only meant to
provide farmers with exposure to new methods but also to encourage them to adopt new and
more productive technologies.

KVKs also provide training to farmers on improved practices in agricultural production and
marketing, post-harvest management, and value addition. These trainings are beneficial to
farmers in learning new skills and also in getting connected with markets, which can help
them sell their produce at better prices.

Furthermore, KVKs play a significant role in carrying out extension activities in the
agricultural sector. They facilitate contact between research institutions, universities, and
farmers. The extension functionaries of KVKs create awareness among farmers on the latest
technological advancements and help farmers to connect with these institutions. This helps
farmers to improve their knowledge base, develop better production techniques and adopt
better agricultural practices.

Despite these benefits, some challenges do exist. KVKs are generally understaffed, leading to
difficulties in reaching out to all farmers in the target area. The reach of KVKs is, therefore,
restricted to a certain extent. This is particularly true for farmers from remote areas with
limited access to agricultural inputs, markets and training opportunities. In areas with a weak
agricultural infrastructure, KVKs face difficulties in reaching out to farmers due to poor
transport, limited logistics, and communication difficulties.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, KVKs have contributed significantly to enhancing the productivity and income
of farmers by improving their access to information, technology and expertise. KVKs have
proved to be successful in fulfilling their mandate of technology dissemination, on-farm
testing, extension, and capacity building. However, there is room to further improve the
functioning and outreach of KVKs by addressing issues of staffing, infrastructure, and
logistical support. KVKs hold tremendous potential to catalyze agricultural development in
India and to help farmers realize their aspirations for a more profitable and sustainable
agriculture sector.

References:
1. Singh, I., & Nayak, S. K. (2019). Role of Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Enhancing Agricultural
Productivity: A Study of KVKs in India. International Journal of Agriculture, Environment
and Biotechnology, 12(2), 137-146.

2. Singh, U. (2016). Krishi Vigyan Kendra: Need and Role in Rural Development.
International Journal of Science and Research, 5(6), 711-712.

3. Nayak, S. K., & Singh, G. (2019). Impact of Krishi Vigyan Kendra on Dissemination of
Agricultural Technologies and Practices: A Study of KVKs in India. Agricultural Research -
Biotechnology, 2(2), 72-78.

4. Krishan, P. (2015). Krishi Vigyan Kendra: A Catalyst for Agricultural Development in

India. Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, 7(4), 88-97.