National KVK Conference-2015

PATNA: The ICAR 87^th Foundation Day, Award Ceremony and 9th National KVK Conference was inaugurated by  Prime Minister  Narendra Modi on Saturday at Patna. The inaugural session was followed by three technical sessions and a valedictory function on 26th July 2015 in which Union Minister of Agriculture Shri Radha Mohan Singh was Chief Guest.

Agricultural Minister, in his Valedictory Address, spoke about the various steps taken for strengthening of KVKs by increasing the number of scientific positions and cadre strength of KVK from 16 to 22. He said that SMSs are now designated as Scientists to give recognition and prestige to them. He announced establishment of three new Agricultural Technology Application Research Institutes (ATARIs), reorganization of jurisdiction of ATARIs in terms of inclusion of States for better monitoring of KVKs. He also emphasized on the need for livestock improvement to bring in white revolution. He highlighted the basic aims of initiating four schemes namely, Farmer FIRST; Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture (ARYA); Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav and Student Ready and asked for timely implementation of these schemes to enhance lab to land process.

Agriculture Minister conferred eight awards to the best performing KVKs which include national award and zonal awards. Agricultural Minister also launched the website of All India Agricultural Students Association and released knowledge products including a video film on KVK.

Earlier, Dr. S. Ayyappan, Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR welcomed the dignitaries which was followed by Remarks by Shri R. Rajagopal, Additional Secretary, DARE & Secretary, ICAR.

The first session of KVK Conference was on Interactive session with Vice-chancellors, Directors of Extension, Directors of ICAR Institutes and Program Coordinators. This session was chaired by Dr. S. Ayyappan and Co-Chaired by Shri R. Rajagopal and Secretary, ICAR. In this session, various administrative, financial, managerial issues related to the functioning of KVKs were discussed.

A presentation was made by Dr. A. K. Singh, Deputy Director General (Agril Extn) on XII Plan Initiatives wherein he briefed on different programs, facilities and provisions.

In the Technical session-II, experiences of KVKs in skill based Interventions were shared. The presentations were made by eight Directors of ATARIs and Program Coordinators of eight KVKs from the respective Zones. In the Technical Session–III on Technological Skills and Interventions, Deputy Directors General of ICAR made brief remarks on various key technical skill development areas related to Crop Science, Horticulture, Natural Resource Management, Animal Science, Fisheries, Agricultural Education and Agricultural Engineering relevant for KVKs.