Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan holds high-level meeting on strengthening KVKs
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan holds high-level meeting on strengthening KVKs
Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan held a high-level meeting today at Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi, to deliberate on strategies for making Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) across the country more effective and empowered. The meeting saw the participation of senior officials, including Agriculture Secretary Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi and ICAR Director General Dr. M.L. Jat.
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan highlighted that there are currently 731 KVKs nationwide, and while expanding their network, it is essential to strengthen them for the benefit of small farmers. He emphasised that KVKs serve as the primary medium to reach farmers, playing a crucial role in technology dissemination, training, and delivering agricultural innovations.
The Union Minister stated that KVKs should actively facilitate the implementation of the government’s farmer-friendly policies, programmes, and schemes, enhancing farmers’ welfare and awareness. He further directed KVKs to develop model initiatives, promoting integrated farming and natural agriculture.
The Union Minister instructed ICAR officials to ensure that KVKs are provided with adequate financial, human resource, and technical support to streamline their functioning and enhance their effectiveness. Shri Chouhan also emphasised the need to ensure promotions and academic parity for KVK scientists and staff based on their qualifications.
He further directed uniformity across all KVKs in training, research extension, and promotion of agricultural entrepreneurship. Discussions were also held regarding the salaries, allowances, promotions, retirement age, and post-retirement benefits of KVK scientists and staff. Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan instructed officials to take appropriate measures to address these issues, coordinating with state governments, NITI Aayog, and the Ministry of Finance to ensure comprehensive solutions.
Shri Chouhan reiterated that KVKs must be empowered to serve small farmers more effectively, ensuring that their work reaches every farmer and contributes to the overall development of the agriculture sector in the country.
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