The ICAR- Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Zone-8, Pune, Maharashtra has organized its “6 th Annual Zonal Workshop” at KVK Aurangabad-I from 28 th to 30 th July, 2023.

Inaugurating the Workshop of the Chief Guest, Dr. U. S. Gautam, Deputy Director General(Agricultural Extension), ICAR urged the Krishi Vigyan Kendras for focusing on Integrated Farming System, filling of vacant positions in KVK, timely submission of AUCs and UCs.He added that the new mandate of KVK is a single window Technology Extension System and KVKs have to create influence on policymakers. DDG also advised to develop Success Stories on NICRA, FFP, ARYA, TSP and SCSP projects. Dr. Gautam stated that the KVKs should contribute and make a presence in the system by providing a database.

Dr. R. Roy Burman, ADG (Agricultural Extension), ICAR urged the need to carry out Extension beyond production activities. He stated that all 731 KVK will be provided Drones and Kisan Sarthi 2.0 will be launched with mobile Apps. He pointed that Natural Farming is one of the priority of government and KVKs need to generate a database to generate inputs for policy makers.

Dr. S. R. Gadakh, Vice-Chancellor, PDKV, Akola highlighted Integrated Farming System approach for sustainable agriculture. He suggested every KVK SMS should develop discipline-wise commercial demonstration models in the KVK campus and technologies must be demonstrated season-wise at KVK. He asked KVKs to make small video clips and use recent technologies like AI, Drones and Robotics.

Dr. Z. P. Patel, Vice-Chancellor, NAU, Navsari stated that ARYA project is motivating women and rural youth in agriculture as agri Entrepreneurship is providing employment to them. He further added that Social Scientists have played an important role in the Green and White Revolution. Farmers and rural women must be motivated by KVKs as huge income can be generated by exporting Post Harvest Products. SMS and KVK scientists also require motivation and backstopping must be provided by SAUs and ICAR Institutes, he suggested.

Dr. Indra Mani, VC, VNMKV, Parbhani appreciated the KVKs’ role in Extension activities.He emphasized the need of carrying out activities like MGMG and One Day with my farmer. He suggested to provide platform to women farmers to attract them to agriculture related activities. He added that use of ICT is a must for the dissemination of technologies and KVK should be strengthened and made attractive. He informed that all KVKs must go for CSR registration. Skilling must be converted to entrepreneurship. He advised KVK scientists must be involved with the nearest institutes engaged in research, education and extension.

Dr. S. K. Roy, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Pune, Maharashtra in his welcome address underlined the salient achievements in the Zone – VIII during the preceding year. He enlisted various achievements of KVKs and work done under various projects like Natural farming, Agri-Drone project, cluster frontline demonstrations on oilseeds and pulses. He also informed about support provided by ATARI for various infrastructure development of KVKs.

Dr. D. B. Deosarkar, DEE, VNMKV, Parbhani provided vote of thanks. The workshop saw participation of two former DDG (Agril Extension) Dr. P. Das, and Dr K. D. Kokate, Dr. V. V. Sadamate, Former Advisor, Planning Commission and other dignitaries. Around 125 participants including Heads and Senior Scientists of 82 Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Directors of Extension Education, Vice Chancellors and Experts from ICAR Institutes attended the Workshop.