(a) whether the Government propose to establish Scientific Laboratories or Krishi Vigyan Kendra in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
(c) the details of facilities proposed to be made available in these laboratories for the farmers;
(d) the manner in which the farmers are likely to be benefitted by establishing these laboratories; and
(e) the time by which these are likely to be made operational?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE
(SHRI HUKUMDEO NARAYAN YADAV)
(a) & (b) Yes, Sir. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) have established 261 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK) in the country. The state-wise details are indicated in Annexure-I. The Council have a proposal to strengthen the existing Zonal Agricultural Research Stations (ZARS) to take up the additional functions of KVK in 53 locations. The state-wise details are indicted in Annexure-II.
(c) Besides, the infrastructural facilities and staff already available in these Research Stations, there is a provision for providing critical support which includes, additional staff, farm machineries, contingency for taking up the activities of KVK, and trainees` hostel wherever needed.
(d) The farmers are likely to be benefitted through skill training on modern agricultural practices, on-farm testing to identify location specificity of technologies, and frontline demonstrations on improved technologies to establish production potential on farmers fields.
(e) The proposal for strengthening these ZARSs is likely to be made operational during the IXth Plan Period.