Genesis
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research has established 11 Agricultural Technology Application Research Institutes (ATARIs) across the country for monitoring, reviewing and coordinating the KVK system. Agricultural Extension Division, one of the eight divisions of ICAR, New Delhi has established strong network of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (731 KVKs) all over the country. The division is headed by Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension) and supported by two Assistant Directors Generals, four Principal/Senior Scientists, two Directors and one Under Secretary monitor and review the progress of KVKs through ATARIs. Earlier, there were eight ATARIs (Ludhiana, Kolkata, Barapani, Kanpur, Hyderabad, Jodhpur, Jabalpur and Bengaluru). Considering more number of KVKs and intricate monitoring/coordination mechanism, three additional ATARIs (Pune, Guwahati and Patna) were established in 2015 for effective monitoring, coordinating and reviewing the KVKs and started functioning from 2017. If you look in the history of ATARI, it was born as Zonal Coordination Unit in 1979 at 8 locations to monitor transfer of technology projects. The Zonal Coordination Unit was upgraded as Zonal Project Directorate (ZPD) in 2009. Again it was upgraded as Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI) in 2015.
Mandate of ATARI
- Coordination and monitoring of technology application and frontline extension education programs
- Strengthening agricultural extension research and knowledge management
Major Activities of ATARI
- Planning, monitoring and reviewing of KVK activities in the zone; to identify, prioritize and implement various activities related to technology integration and dissemination.
- Coordinating with SAUs, ICAR institutes/organizations, line departments and voluntary organizations in the zone for implementation of KVK mandated activities.
- Facilitating financial and infrastructural support to KVKs for effective functioning.
