NEW DELHI, SEPT 7: Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has reviewed the action plan for strengthening Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), with the Centre setting a target to upgrade the infrastructure and logistics of 300 prioritised KVKs by March 2027.
The review meeting focused on implementing key recommendations concerning KVKs that emerged from the 5th Chief Secretaries’ Conference 2025 and accelerating Centre-State efforts towards their implementation.
Jammu & Kashmir currently has 19 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), with 10 under Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-Kashmir) and nine under SKUAST-Jammu, covering different agro-climatic zones of the Union Territory. However, as of now, it is not clear how many of these 19 KVKs have been specifically identified or prioritised for upgradation, a senior official at SKUAST told Ziraat Times.
Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Bhagirath Choudhary, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General, ICAR, Dr Mangi Lal Jat, and senior officials of the Ministry attended the meeting.
Chouhan stressed the need for active participation and timely support from State Governments to meet the March 2027 target. DARE has engaged with the Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories to mobilise financial and institutional support for upgrading the prioritised KVKs.
Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and Chhattisgarh have received Detailed Project Reports from universities and KVKs, while preparations and implementation are at various stages in other States.
The meeting also reviewed plans to establish Incubation-cum-Skill Centres in all KVKs by December 2028. Under the initiative, KVKs are being mapped with agro-based enterprises, technical partner institutions and district-specific agricultural opportunities. KVK-wise incubation plans are being prepared for submission to States and Union Territories for funding and implementation support.
The meeting also discussed reforms concerning KVK personnel. Proposed reforms relating to pay, allowances and promotion of KVK staff have received approval from the Department of Expenditure. The role of State Governments in providing NPS contributions and retirement benefits, wherever applicable, was also emphasised.
States were urged to undertake timely recruitment against vacancies to ensure adequate manpower for effective functioning of KVKs.
The Minister also stressed the need for timely release of funds to KVKs, particularly for seasonal agricultural programmes. Under the Cluster Frontline Demonstrations on Pulses and Oilseeds programme for 2026–27, activities are being implemented across 24 States through 353 KVKs/districts, covering a target area of 12,349 hectares. Of this, 9,750 hectares has already been achieved.
States were asked to facilitate smooth and timely flow of funds to ATARI and KVK levels, ensure availability of recommended quality seeds and varieties, and strengthen coordination in planning and execution of demonstrations.
The role of KVKs in implementing the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PM DDKY) was also reviewed. States were requested to provide adequate funding to KVKs for their mandated activities and district-specific action plans under the scheme.
Chouhan said strengthening KVKs would require strong Centre-State convergence, timely financial support, modern infrastructure, adequate manpower and effective implementation of district-specific agricultural plans.
He emphasised that strengthened KVKs should serve as effective platforms for taking scientific knowledge, modern technologies, improved varieties, skills, innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities closer to farmers and rural communities.
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