The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi honoured three outstanding Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) during the annual conference on KVKs. The awards carry a silver plaque, citation and cash amount of Rs. 1,00,000.
Krishi Vigyan Kendra of the Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, (TANUVAS) Kancheepuram bagged the award for providing strong technology support in agriculture, animal husbandry and allied activities.
The KVK carried out 89 technology assessment and refinement trials and rendered farm advisory services and field visits.
It also organized training programmes for extension personnel and imparted modern technological knowhow and do how in agriculture and allied sectors.
Capacity building
The KVK wing of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Cuddalore bagged the award for its contribution under the various capacity building exercises in which it conducted 2,140 courses for farmers, rural youth, unemployed persons, extension functionaries and others in which there were 64,104 participants with 37 per cent representation by women. It also acted as knowledge and resource centre for implementation of Precision farming in farmers holdings in 1,020 hectares.
It also produced cashew grafts (23,938), Moringa (1,264), Jatropha (4,500) and other horti seedlings and supplied to farmers. Seeds of groundnut, sesame and black gram were produced.
Kerala Agricultural University KVK from Kannur exerted a powerful influence on the other extension systems of the district by playing a leadership role.
Paddy task force
The Paddy Task Force (PTF), a novel initiative of the kendra to address the alarming declining area under paddy due to labour shortage has been recommended by the State planning board for statewide adoption.
The Kannur kendra pioneered several innovations in extension, namely, farmers’ science congress and creative extension, a new branch of agricultural extension, which uses art forms for communication.
The sub-surface dyke built by the Kendra to alleviate water scarcity has now become the largest rainwater harvesting system in the region and a model demonstration unit.
