Question : Achievements of KVKs

(a) whether technical and non-technical facilities are available in all the Krishi Vigyan Kendras in various States of the country, if so, whether these KVKs are functioning properly, if not, the reasons therefor;

(b) whether it is a fact that KVKs working in various districts are not properly assisting the farming community especially in the matters relating to weather fluctuations resulting in crop losses, if so, the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard;

(c) whether there are some Krishi Vigyan Kendras which are dedicated to effective implementation and marketing of organic farming, if so, the details thereof;

(d) the details of the outcome of the initiatives taken by these KVKs for organic farming; and

(e) the details of the funds allocated by the Government to these KVKs along with the achievements made by these KVKs during the last three years, State-wise including backward and rural areas of the country?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
(SHRI S.S. AHLUWALIA)

(a) Yes, Madam. The Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) are provided modest infrastructural facilities like demonstration units, administrative building, farmer’s
hostel, staff quarters, farm machinery and implements and one vehicle, besides, support for development of an instructional farm. In addition, selected KVKs are also provided need based additional facilities as given in the Annexure-I. The KVKs are functioning properly with the provision of such facilities.

(b) No, Madam. The KVKs working in various districts are assisting the farming community with regard to application of various technologies and best practices in their fields and updating their knowledge on farming methods including matters related to weather information. The Subject Matter Specialists (SMSs) in KVKs provide weather and other advisory to farmers through radio and TV programmes. The KVKs are also providing advisories through mKisan portal to farming community for providing information on weather, market, various farm operations, outbreak of pest and disease incidence and their control measures.

(c) & (d): As part of their activities the KVKs impart training to the farmers in various agricultural activities including organic farming to update their knowledge and skills. Farmers are provided training on production of organic manures through vermicompost, green manure, bio-pesticides etc. Besides, the Sikkim State has been declared officially as an Organic State where four KVKs namely; East Sikkim, West Sikkim, South Sikkim and North Sikkim are dedicated to organic farming. During the current year, KVKs have conducted 886 frontline demonstrations on organic farming, 208 On-farm trials related to promotion of organic farming and 2264 training programmes benefitting 45182 farmers, farm women and rural youth.

In addition, KVKs are also involved in creating awareness among farmers to adopt organic farming practices for availing benefits of the Parampragat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) under National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) by which Government is promoting Organic farming in the country and provisions are made for financial assistance to farmers.

(e) The State-wise and year-wise details of funds allocated by the Government to KVKs along with the achievements made by KVKs during the last three years are given in Annexure-II and Annexure-III respectively.

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