Curtain Raiser Event of Golden Jubilee Celebration of KVKs at Krishi Vigyan Kendra Puducherry

Perunthalaivar Kamaraj KVK, Puducherry organized a special Curtain Raiser Event of Golden Jubilee Celebration of KVKs on March 21, 2024. The event was in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Govt. of Puducherry, and the Indian Council of Agriculture Research, New Delhi. It began with the unveiling of the Golden Jubilee Pylon by Dr. Sharat Chauhan along with other dignitaries.

Dr. Sharat Chauhan I.A.S, Chief Secretary to Government, Puducherry, Dr. U. S Gautam, DDG (Agri. Extn.), ICAR, A. Nedunchezhian, I.A.S. Secretary to Government (Agriculture), Puducherry, Dr. Sanjay Kumar Singh, DDG, Horticulture, Dr. S. Vasanthakumar, Director of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of Puducherry, Dr. V. Geethalakshmi, Vice Chancellor, TNAU, Coimbatore, Dr. A. K. Singh, Vice Chancellor, RLBCAU, Jhansi graced the occasion.

The Krishi Vigyan Kendra (Farm Science Center) in India has come a long way since its inception. Speaking on the matter, Dr. S. Vasanthakumar highlighted the remarkable journey of KVKs, with the first one established in Puducherry on this day in 1974. Today, there are 731 KVKs across the country, serving as vital knowledge resource centers for agricultural technologies and significantly enhancing the agricultural economy of districts through extension services to farmers.

Dr. U. S. Gautam, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension) at ICAR, highlighted the pivotal role of KVKs during the Viksit Bharat Yatra. He emphasized that KVKs are akin to mini-universities at the district level, equipped with laboratories and serving as skill centers. This facilitates the empowerment of rural youth and women, enabling them to establish startups, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and contribute towards doubling farmers' income.

He further informed that 121 more KVKs will be established in the country within two years. We have initiated networking with Krishi Vigyan Kendras nationwide and are leveraging ICT to disseminate information to farmers through messaging. The Government of India intends to send personalized messages to household members, advising them on suitable crops and recommending appropriate agricultural technologies based on their landholding size. For instance, if someone owns 1 acre of land, they will receive a tailored message suggesting crop options and technology choices tailored to their needs.

The responsibilities of frontline extension units at Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) include technology testing, adaptation, and integration. Dr US Gautam highlighted the pivotal role of KVKs in shaping state policies and national initiatives. He highlighted KVKs' achievements, including spearheading the pulses revolution through cluster frontline demonstrations, contributing to doubling farmers' income, crafting agriculture contingency plans for 623 districts, and scaling up Integrated Farming System (IFS) Models across 26 states/union territories, and KVKs' involvement in crop residue management.

Furthermore, he outlined plans for the Technology Application for Sustainable Livestock Development (TASL-D) initiative, which will be implemented through KVKs in collaboration with the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying. The objective of TASL-D: Technology Intervention for profitable and sustainable livestock production; Harnessing Livestock Technologies to catalyze entrepreneurship and foster employment generation.

In his remark, A. Nedunchezhian emphasized, "Despite the reduction in cultivation area, crop productivity has risen due to the efforts of KVKs. Puducherry's consistent ranking as the top performer in the agriculture sector among Union Territories highlights the dedication of KVK Puducherry. The Government of India consistently stresses the utilization of technology for the welfare of the masses, a mission that KVK Puducherry is advancing through ICT."

Dr. Sanjay Kumar Singh, DDG (Horticulture), highlighted the need for KVKs to empower farmers to adopt smart agricultural practices, highlighting the evolving role of extension services in meeting this challenge. He praised the fruitful journey of KVKs so far, noting their global recognition for networking, outreach, and farmer engagement. With climate change and food insecurity looming, the role of KVKs becomes increasingly crucial for India's advancement in Agriculture 2.0.

In her address to the audience, Dr. V. Geethalakshmi highlighted the pressing challenges facing agriculture, including population growth, dwindling land and water resources, and climate change. Highlighting the need to ensure food safety & security, she urged for proactive measures to prevent a recurrence of the conditions witnessed in the 1990s. She underscored the pivotal role played by KVKs in bridging the gap between technology and farmers through field demonstrations. She called for enhanced connectivity with farmers to drive agricultural prosperity, ensuring the production of nutritious food for a healthier younger generation.

Dr. A. K. Singh stressed the evolution of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) since their inception in 1974, highlighting their expanded role beyond mere skill development and resource provision to include knowledge dissemination. He underscored the emerging challenges faced by rural India, such as the shortage of farm labourers and pressure on natural resources, indicating the need for KVKs to adapt to these changes.

Dr. Singh mentioned the increasing interest of various departments of the Government of India in utilizing KVKs for their programs. However, he cautioned against overextension, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a clear focus on agriculture-related activities to uphold the original purpose of KVKs. He stressed the significance of ensuring that any initiatives undertaken by KVKs align with their core mandate.

Moreover, Dr. Singh discussed the potential of KVKs to foster entrepreneurship and innovation at the grassroots level. He suggested exploring opportunities to incubate startups and create a conducive business environment at the district level, thereby facilitating economic growth and development.

Dr. U. S. Gautam and Dr. Sharat Chauhan handed over of Golden Jubilee Torch and citation to the Directors of ATARI. Thereby the dignitaries on the stage released the publications, Golden Jubilee Logo, Golden Jubilee Emblem, ATARI Logo, Golden Jubilee Badges, and Special Postal Cover.

"The transfer of Technologies by the KVKs has helped in increasing the food grain production & horticultural production in the country. The KVKs to work as a one-stop center, not just for technology transfer but also for capacity building, market information, and skill development of farmers at the grassroots level," said Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary (DARE) and DG(ICAR) through a video message. 

Message from Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary (DARE) and DG(ICAR)for Curtain Raiser of Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Krishi Vigyan Kendras #ICAR #KVK #50YearsofKVK @PMOIndia @MundaArjun @KailashBaytu @ShobhaBJP @mygovindia @PIB_India @AgriGoI https://t.co/fyGm1j1pN1
— Indian Council of Agricultural Research. (@icarindia) March 21, 2024
 

During his special address, Dr. Sharat Chauhan extended congratulations to agricultural stakeholders, scientists, and farming communities for the notable achievements over the past few years. He emphasized that our vast and geographically diverse country is now self-sufficient and even boasts a surplus in food production. This achievement is truly remarkable, deserving of commendation and recognition from all of us.