Shivraj Singh Unveils Strategy to Empower KVKs for Farmer-Centric Agricultural Transformation

Shri Chouhan stressed that each KVK must function not merely as a training centre but as a dynamic hub for knowledge exchange, entrepreneurship, and local innovation.

In a decisive move to strengthen the backbone of India’s agricultural extension network, Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, chaired a high-level meeting at Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi, to discuss strategies for empowering Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) across the country. The meeting focused on improving operational efficiency, enhancing scientific capacity, and ensuring that the benefits of agricultural innovation reach every small and marginal farmer.

The meeting was attended by Agriculture Secretary Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi, ICAR Director General Dr. M.L. Jat, and other senior officials from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Rural Development.

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KVKs: The Nerve Centres of Rural Innovation

Addressing the officials, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan underscored that Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) are the frontline institutions that bridge the gap between scientific research and on-ground agricultural practice. With 731 KVKs currently operational across India, he said that while expanding their number is important, strengthening their institutional and functional capacity is even more crucial to enhance impact.

“KVKs are the lifeline of India’s small and marginal farmers. They are the vehicles through which we can take the benefits of science, innovation, and government support directly to the grassroots,” the Minister said.

Shri Chouhan stressed that each KVK must function not merely as a training centre but as a dynamic hub for knowledge exchange, entrepreneurship, and local innovation. He added that the empowerment of small and marginal farmers—who form over 85% of India’s farming population—should remain the central focus of KVK activities.

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Strengthening Policy Implementation and Farmer Outreach

The Union Minister called for greater alignment between KVK activities and the government’s flagship farmer-centric schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), Natural Farming Mission, and Digital Agriculture Mission.

He emphasized that KVKs must play an active role in disseminating modern technologies, promoting climate-resilient agriculture, and supporting integrated farming systems that combine crop, livestock, horticulture, and fishery-based enterprises.

Shri Chouhan directed the ICAR and state agricultural universities to collaborate in developing Model KVKs that can serve as centres of excellence for sustainable farming, natural agriculture, and rural entrepreneurship. “Every KVK should become a lighthouse of innovation for its district,” he remarked.

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Focus on Infrastructure, Staffing, and Career Parity

Recognizing the challenges faced by KVKs in terms of infrastructure and manpower, Shri Chouhan instructed ICAR to ensure adequate financial and human resource support for all Kendras. He called for an audit of existing resources and a five-year roadmap for modernization, focusing on:

• Upgrading laboratories and demonstration farms;

• Expanding digital and remote advisory platforms;

• Recruiting qualified scientists and extension professionals; and

• Building linkages with startups, FPOs, and agri-tech companies.

The Minister also stressed the importance of academic parity and career advancement for KVK scientists and staff. Discussions were held on salaries, allowances, promotions, retirement age, and post-retirement benefits, with Shri Chouhan directing officials to coordinate with State Governments, NITI Aayog, and the Ministry of Finance to address these issues comprehensively.

“Our scientists are the custodians of innovation in rural India. Their morale, recognition, and growth are vital to sustaining agricultural transformation,” Shri Chouhan observed.

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Promoting Uniformity and Excellence Across KVKs

To ensure consistency and quality across all 731 KVKs, the Minister directed the ICAR to develop standardized operational frameworks covering:

• Training modules and curriculum design;

• Research-extension linkages;

• Entrepreneurship promotion;

• Monitoring and evaluation systems; and

• Collaboration with Panchayati Raj institutions and local self-help groups.

He also called for digital integration of KVKs through a national knowledge-sharing platform that would allow scientists and farmers to exchange data, success stories, and real-time solutions.

Shri Chouhan encouraged the development of region-specific strategies, highlighting that the agricultural challenges of rain-fed regions, such as Bundelkhand or Marathwada, differ from those of coastal or Himalayan regions. “Each KVK must develop a localized action plan tailored to the unique agro-climatic conditions of its region,” he said.

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Driving Innovation Through Natural and Integrated Farming

Emphasizing the government’s priority on natural and integrated farming systems, the Minister directed that KVKs take the lead in promoting chemical-free agriculture, bio-input adoption, and on-farm composting practices.

He called for the identification of “Model Natural Farming Clusters” across states to demonstrate the economic viability of sustainable farming. He also encouraged the integration of Ayush-based plant products, value addition, and branding of local produce to enhance farmers’ incomes.

Shri Chouhan noted that with India aiming to become a global supplier of safe, sustainable food, KVKs must serve as the engines of innovation that drive this transformation at the district level.

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Collaboration and Accountability

The Minister emphasized the importance of institutional synergy between the Ministry of Agriculture, ICAR, State Agricultural Universities, and Krishi Vigyan Kendras. He proposed that each KVK should submit annual action and outcome reports, ensuring accountability and measurable progress.

He further directed the creation of a KVK Empowerment Task Force, comprising representatives from ICAR, State Departments, and NITI Aayog, to periodically review implementation and provide policy feedback.

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Toward a Farmer-Centric Future

In his concluding remarks, Shri Chouhan reiterated that KVKs must evolve into the “voice and vehicle” of small farmers. By bridging the divide between research institutions and rural realities, they can help usher in a new era of agricultural self-reliance, sustainability, and prosperity.

“The soul of India resides in its villages. Strengthening KVKs means strengthening the farmer, the foundation of our nation’s food security and rural economy,” the Minister said.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing every farmer with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to adopt innovation — ensuring that India’s agricultural transformation is both inclusive and enduring.

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Background: The Role of Krishi Vigyan Kendras

Established under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Krishi Vigyan Kendras were conceived to serve as district-level knowledge and innovation centres dedicated to technology assessment, on-farm trials, and capacity building for farmers. Each KVK functions as a “Farm Science Centre”, translating laboratory research into practical field solutions.

Today, KVKs play a critical role in implementing the government’s vision of doubling farmers’ income, promoting climate-smart agriculture, and supporting agri-startups and rural enterprises.

With Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s renewed focus on empowerment, modernization, and accountability, the KVK network is poised to become the core driver of India’s rural transformation.