ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendras are celebrating their Golden Jubilee Year in 2024. The Curtain Raiser of the Golden Jubilee Celebration was held in Puducherry on Thursday. The 1st KVK was established by ICAR on 21st March 1974 in Puducherry.
Secretary (DARE) and Director General (ICAR), Dr. Himanshu Pathak 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.
The Chief Guest, Chief Secretary, Govt of Puducherry, Dr. Sharat Chauhan 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.
Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension) ICAR, Dr. Udam Singh Gautham 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.
Vice Chancellor, Rani Laxmibhai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi, Dr. A.K. Singh 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.
Deputy Director General (Horticulture), ICAR, Dr. S.K. Singh said that the concept of KVKs is unique in the entire agricultural sector. He emphasised the farmers becoming agripreneurs yielding higher profits.
Secretary, (Agriculture), Govt of Puducherry, Shri A. Nedunchezhiyan stated that the Government of India stresses leveraging technologies for the benefit of the masses and the KVKs to take progressive steps to double farmer’s income.
Vice Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Dr. V. Geethalakshmi highlighted the efforts of the KVKs in making the farmers tech-savvy and helping them adopt Agriculture 2.0. She sought intervention of 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.
Assistant Directors General (Agricultural Extension) ICAR, Dr. R.R. Burman and Dr. R.K. Singh, Director, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Puducherry, Dr. S. Vasanthakumar, Directors of ATARIs, Heads, and other staff members of KVKs were also present in the occassion.
