Proceedings of Annual Zonal Workshop for the KVKs of Zone-II organized at ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore on May 26-27, 2015
The Annual Zonal Workshop for the KVKs of Zone-II was organized by Zonal Project Directorate, Kolkata at ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore on May 26-27, 2015. The programme started with invocation song of ICAR followed by lighting of lamp. The inaugural session was graced by Directors of CIFRI, Barrackpore, NIRJAFT, Tollygunge, Zonal Project Director, Director, SAMETI, West Bengal, Directors of Extension Education of six SAUs of Zone-II, Principal Scientist from ICAR headquarter, heads of division of CIFRI, officials from Zonal Project Directorate, Programme Coordinators of 83 KVKs spread across Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and A&N Islands and other dignitaries. The welcome of the guests was extended by Dr. P.P. Pal, Pr. Scientist, ZPD-II. Dr. A.K. Singh, Zonal Project Director while briefing the house about various initiatives taken for the KVKs and performance of the KVKs in mandated and other activities, highlighted the need for replacing old instruments used in soil testing laboratories, new areas of convergence with government of Bihar and Jharkhand that led to providing farm implements worth Rs.10-12 lakh alongwith small ATIC to all the KVKs of Jharkhand and soil and water testing laboratory to the KVKs of Bihar where the facility could not be established and strengthening of existing laboratory under RKVY scheme. He also hoped that with the valuable inputs of the Directors and other dignitaries, this workshop would led to formulating a workable roadmap for the KVKs to make it more vibrant. Dr. V.P. Chahal in delivering his address opined that KVKs were the part of National Agricultural Research System and their focus should be on soil health management, providing backstopping to ATMA and giving priority to mandated activities rather than getting involved in other organizations’ work. He emphasized on crops learning among KVKs. He observed that strength of host organization was the strength of KVK. As per Dr. Chahal, the KVK system was the main part of outreach activities and its performance were lauded at international level as many organizations wanted to have KVKs followed by replication of this system by other countries. Giving a brief account about genesis of KVK system he underline the need for having a small technology information unit in each KVK for the benefit of various stake holders. Regarding convergence, he advocated for the plan of joint action plan of ATMA and KVK, quarterly meeting of stakeholders at district level involving Deputy Commissioner, PD, ATMA and PC, KVK for enhance flow up technology. He also requested to organize state/zonal level meeting involving state, SAU and ZPD officials to streamline the process of convergence. Other areas mentioned by Dr. Chahal included performance appraisal of randomly selected 10% KVK/year, 3rd party evaluation for impact assessment, establishment of CRS with technical guidance from KVK and fund support from ATMA, technological backstopping by KVK under Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, proposed enhancement of staff strength in KVK, creation of three additional zones with increase manpower in ZPDs, uniform grade pay of Rs.6000 for Subject Matter Specialist, nomenclature of ZPD as Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI), seeking prior approval by KVKs for taking up collaborative activities with national and international institutes, involvement of KVKs in forthcoming pilot project on enhancing energy in agriculture by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy etc. He concluded his speech with a proposal to initiate new awards for best DEE and best host organization having KVK as well as with a request to DEEs for seeking additional support from other organizations for the KVKs. The Director, SAMETI, Dr. Manas Ghosh urged the KVKs to take up model farm school and demonstration on IFS from the fund support of ATMA. The contribution of KVKs of West Bengal particularly in sending message to large number of farmers through Farmers’ Portal was specially praised by him. He observed that this was the right time for effective convergence between ATMA and KVK but unfortunately it was not taking place at a desired pace. He urged upon the KVKs to utilize the platform of ATMA governing body for production of quality seed, packaging and marketing for the benefit of the farmers. Giving a brief account about the success of DAESI programme, he announced that more number of KVKs would be brought under this programme. He underlined the need for effective farmer-scientist interaction to find out researchable issues for its submission to ATMA and proper utilization of ATMA fund for joint visit of ATMA and KVK once in a week. The Director, NIRJAFT, Dr. D. Nag expressed his willingness to involve more number of KVKs from West Bengal in up scaling technologies of his institute. He opined that weak KVKs should be identified and energized for better output. He assured the house that the need for diversification and value addition of jute would be taken up with CII once it was identified by the KVKs. In delivering inaugural speech, Prof. A.P. Sharma, Director CIFRI, underlined the need for working more under anthropogenic stresses like climate change, population increase, nutritional insecurity, rainfed agriculture, soil health detoriation, non-availability of quality seed, low investment capacity of farmers etc. He advocated for farm mechanization, precision farming, conservation agriculture and related areas for creating greater impact of KVK activities. He urged the KVKs to plan their mandated activities like training, OFT, FLD etc. with a focus to narrow down the gap of technology required and technology available. He also highlighted the need for equal status of agriculture/agricultural professionals with that of other sectors/professionals engaged in medical, engineering and other sectors. As per Dr. Sharma brain storming needs to be done involving industry, research institutes, farmers, financial institutions and all other stakeholders for identifying the key issues for bringing second green revolution in the eastern part of the country.
The inaugural session was ended with vote of thanks proposed by Dr. S.K. Roy, Pr. Scientist, ZPD-II, Kolkata.
A special panel discussion on performance, relevance and progressiveness of KVKs was organized after the inaugural session which was attended by DEEs, ZPD, scientists of Directorate and the KVK personnel. It was coordinated by Dr. P.P. Pal. A number of issues were identified to make KVK system more vibrant and visible like fulfilling staff strength, multiownership of KVK, impostion of too many programmes, point-to-point convergence with ATMA, better documentation of KVK activities etc. The speakers highlighted the following areas:
- Mainstream extension is not working in a desired way and the KVKs should act as intermediary formal research and formal extension.
- Performance and relevance of KVKs were beyond question.
- Self-imposed discipline among the KVK staff was the need of the hour.
- Various organizations are utilizing KVKs for their own mandates.
- Uniform service and other facilities should be ensured in the KVK system.
- Use of ICT should be emphasized to reach remotely located villages by the KVK.
- ATMA was to facilitate transfer of technology programme but it has become a machinery of state govt.
- KVKs should be selective in taking up activities of other organizations.
- Fund curtailment in KVK is a serious issue which prevents the desired performance.
- All the KVKs need to utilize Kisan Portal in a more aggressive manner.
- Overlapping should be avoided while preparing SREP/CDAP and action plan of KVK.
- KVKs are moving from extension education to extension service which should be discouraged.
- KVKs need to be pro-active during NSSO survey for recording factual data.
- Security for KVKs is a serious matter which may be looked into by ICAR.
- Fund availability needs to be streamlined.
- Fulfilling staff in KVKs should be given utmost priority by all host organizations – KVKs do not have adequate staff for a long period may be closed down.
- Documentation part should be improved manifold.
In placing their observations regarding performance, relevance and progressiveness of KVKs, the Programme Coordinators mentioned the following aspects to enhance the performance of KVKs:
- Multi-ownership issues should be dealt at highest level of ICAR.
- Non-ICAR organizations should be instructed to get prior approval from ICAR/ZPD before assigning any work to KVKs.
- Uniformity in pay structure and fulfilment of staff strength should be ensured.
- Cost of training for the farmers should be at par with other organizations.
- Boundary wall is a pre requisite for KVKs to maintain farm and costly equipment/implements.
- Basic amenities like electricity, drinking water, staff quarter, road etc. should be given priority.
- ATMA should be asked not to act as implementing agency but coordinating agency.
- State governments should procure the seeds produced by KVKs at farm or through village seed production programme.
- KVK trained farmers and youths should get priority in govt. schemes.
Concurrent sessions were organized for the KVKs to present their achievements against the circulated proforma. The KVKs presented their achievements through power points and the observation of the house is given below:
- KVKs should not take responsibility for distribution of any seeds provided by state govt. on subsidy as it was the responsibility of state department. Prior approval must be taken from ZPD in case the work is taken up by KVK on emergency.
- Data presented regarding up scaling of technologies must be supported by factual data and in no case qualitative statement should be made in this regard.
- Sensitizing school children should be given priority in creating awareness among students about agricultural practices as well as its importance.
- In controlling weed in lentil through application of Cascuta, sufficient data should be generated to claim the control of weed by this weedicide.
- The KVKs must conduct PRA and prepare actionable points for the villages adopted under Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojona.
- KVKs should work on resources saved through single seedling transplanting method of rice cultivation.
- Revenue generated and resource generated should be separately presented.
- Mobile numbers of farmers registered in farmers portal should be regularly updated for circulating timely information among farmers.
- Guidelines regarding the use of revolving fund may be provided by ICAR headquarter.
- Seed production in KVK farm should be increased.
- On farm trials should match with the discipline of SMS.
A special lecture on ushering in green revolution in rainfed rice areas in eastern India; stress tolerant rice varieties was delivered by Dr. U.S. Singh, Sr. Scientist and South Asia Regional Coordinator, IRRI. He presented the performance of rice varieties namely Swarna Sub-1, Sambha Sub-1, IR-64, DRT-1, Sukhadhan 5 and 6. A few KVKs involved in seed production and other activities related to those varieties shared their experience. It was decided that a structured mechanism will be developed at ICAR headquarter level for involving KVKs in extrapolation of those varieties under specific land situation.
In the valedictory session, Dr. F.H. Rahman, Pr. Scientist and Dr. K.S. Das, Sr. Scientist, ZPD-II presented the salient observation of the house during the workshop. Dr. Chahal emphasized on presentation by the DEEs in the next Zonal Workshop the activities undertaken against the support provided for strengthening of Directorate, preparation of perspective plan of KVKs for 10 years, recording the successful cases of progressive/innovative farmers for newly launched DD Kisan channel etc. Dr. A.K. Singh highlighted the need for having readymade information in KVKs of various activities, taking up programmes as per strength and weakness, keeping space with change, concentrate on per drop more crop, fertilizer use efficiency and need for preparedness in view of anticipated less rainfall.
Director, CIFRI in his concluding remark praised the KVKs for their role in agricultural development in spite of having lot many problems. He observed that vibrant/developed India was only possible if all could contribute up to their potential. Detailed deliberation during this two day workshop led to the following actionable points:
- KVKs need to increase more number of on farm trial to cover various problematic areas of crop production, livestock rearing, fish cultivation and other associated areas.
- KVKs having the capacity to run CRS should apply for this facility only.
- KVK should prepare joint programme for validation of farmers’ innovation involving innovative farmers with separate fund support of ICAR.
- Capacity building of SMS in marketing, processing etc. should be developed.
- All the KVKs must conduct pre-kharif and pre-rabi mela with fund support of ICAR and NHB.
- The KVKs should think about beyond production – a few KVKs may be identified by the DEEs.
- Workload of KVKs should be rationalized to maintain quality and quantity of performance.
- Priority should be given by KVKs to carry out national programme, state programme and mandated activities.
- Each KVK should try to get it recognized as KVK of excellence in a particular area.
- In no case older varieties should be used in FLD programme.
- Submission of report must be a regular feature.
- The DEEs should make presentation on the activities carried out as part of strengthening of Directorate in the next annual zonal workshop.
- The DEEs should organize a special training programme for the KVKs on mode of power point presentation.
- Impact analysis may be done by the KVKs only. However, DEE, RAU may develop methodology for the KVKs to carry out this programme.
- Establishment of soil and water testing laboratories should be given priority and this facility available in the RRS adjacent to KVKs should be allowed to use by the KVKs till the facility created.
- Reduction of farm area from 20 ha to 7 ha in respect of KVK, East Singhbhum should be looked into by the DEE/University authority of BAU, Ranchi.
- Scientists from ZPD should visit KVKs to witness large scale dissemination of technologies in the districts.
- In view of launching of DD Kisan chanel, the KVKs may be assigned the job of constant development. Moreover, successful cases of progressive/innovative farmers from each district should also be recorded for its telecast through this channel.
- Perspective plan of KVKs for 10 years should be prepared keeping national and state priorities into consideration.
- KVKs should focus on diversification/shrinkage of cropping system, change in cropping intensity, climate resilient agriculture, fertilizer use efficiency and per drop more crop for making its presence felt at national level.
- Preparedness is needed in the form of contingent crop planning in view of anticipated low rainfall during kharif season.
- The principal of 5 W’s and 1 H needs to be followed in writing successful cases.
- All the KVKs must work in team mode for greater achievement.
The workshop ended with vote of thanks proposed by Dr. S.K. Mondal, Pr. Scientist, ZPD-II.