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Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has sought Rs 5,700 crore to strengthen Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK) in the 12th Plan.
During the 11th Plan, the allocation for KVK was Rs 2,000 crore.
K.D. Kakote, Deputy Director-General of ICAR, said: “We have sought massive funds to strengthen KVK infrastructure in the country mainly to take up extensive study related to climate change and recruit additional manpower.”
“ICAR is also planning to install monitoring system of all the 634 KVKs spread across the country. At present, there is no mechanism to monitor them. Also there is a plan to create three more zones from the existing eight,” he said.
KVK system, which came into existence in 1974, has become a vibrant institution of ICAR for technology assessment, refinement and dissemination in the country.
Through the effective use of KVKs, ICAR was able to give a boost to pulses production in the country. Kakote said: “From a stagnant production level of 14 million tonnes in 2008-09, after the introduction of Accelerated Pulses Production Programme supported by KVKs, we saw the production increase by four million tonnes and we were able to harvest 18 million tonnes in 2012-13.”
This year, ICAR is planning to focus more on small farmers. “Currently, 40 per cent of the country’s agricultural production is through small farmers. To enhance their income levels, we are working out a plan of developing location specific initiatives,” said Kakote.
K. Narayana Gowda Vice-Chancellor, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, said: “In Karnataka, many models have been tested to enhance farm income. One example is that of generating Rs 1 lakh income from one acre of land holding through integrated approach of sericulture, dairy and poultry.”
ICAR is holding its eighth national conference of Krishi Vigyan Kendras 2013 in Bangalore during October 23-25 at the University of Agricultural Sciences.
This year’s meet will focus on solely on “sustainable intensification of smallholder forms”.
“This year, we are deliberately taken the task of re-orientation of KVKs activities to help small farmers,” said Kakote.
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