(a) whether the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) are working satisfactorily in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
(c) if not, the steps taken/proposed to be taken to improve their functioning;
(d) whether there is a difference of opinion between KVKs and Agriculture Technology Management Agencies (ATMAs) regarding forwarding the action plan through ATMAs; and
(e) if so, the remedial steps taken to avoid the differences of opinion?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (DR. AKHILESH PRASAD SINGH)
(a) & (b): At present, there are 493 KVKs sanctioned by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research including 42 during the current financial year. During the last one year, the KVK have taken up 1205 technologies for on-farm trial, 0.40 lakh frontline demonstrations, 37,373 training programmes benefiting 8.25 lakh farmers and 0.86 lakh extension personnel, and 0.63 lakh extension activities benefiting 27.57 lakh farmers.
This is against 607 technologies for on-farm trial, 0.32 lakh frontline demonstrations, 30,517 training programmes benefiting 7.50 lakh farmers and 0.69 lakh extension personnel, and 0.16 lakh extension activities benefiting 14.18 lakh farmers in the previous year.
The State-wise details of the number of KVKs are given in Annexure-I.
(c) The following steps have been taken to further improve the functioning of the KVKs:-
Providing electronic connectivity to the KVKs with the State Agricultural Universities and ICAR Institutes for availability of technology information to the farmers. Creation of Soil and Water Testing facilities in the KVKs.
(d) & (e): The Annual Action Plan of the KVK are discussed and finalized in the Scientific Advisory Committee having representatives of research, extension, farmers, financial institutions, and other stakeholders. These Action Plans are then approved in the Zonal Workshops. It has been decided that the varieties for frontline demonstrations and place will be finalized in consultation with ATMAs. The KVKs would also give priority for conducting the training programmes as and when requested by ATMAs.
Annexure-I
DISTRIBUTION OF KVKs IN DIFFRENT STATES/UTs
S.N. States / UTS Total
1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands 1 2. Andhra Pradesh 22 3. Arunachal Pradesh 4 4. Assam 16 5. Bihar 26 6. Chhattisgarh 10 7 Delhi 1 8. Goa 2 9. Gujarat 21 10. Haryana 18 11. Himachal Pradesh 12 12. Jammu and Kashmir 12 13. Jharkhand 17 14. Karnataka 25 15. Kerala 14 16. Lakshadweep 1 17. Madhya Pradesh 37 18. Maharashtra 33 19. Manipur 5 20. Meghalaya 5 21. Mizoram 8 22. Nagaland 5 23. Orissa 25 24. Pondicherry 2 25. Punjab 15 26. Rajasthan 32 27. Sikkim 4 28. Tamil Nadu 28 29. Tripura 4 30. Uttar Pradesh 60 31. Uttaranchal 12 32. West Bengal 16 Total 493