Agricultural scientists on Friday stressed on faster dissemination of technologies and recommendations of agricultural universities to farmers’ fields during 34th Birsa Agriculture University (BAU) Extension Education council meeting.
During the meeting Director, Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Patna, Dr Anjani Kumar Singh said that Krishi Vigyan Kendra
(KVKs) are working more effectively and at a faster pace than research institutes and agricultural universities so far as solution of farm related problems of farmers is concerned.
“The KVKs working as one stop shop at district level are getting greater visibility and recognition for their dedicated efforts and contribution. The Government of India has also increased its budgetary provision for extension works related to farm technology dissemination while budget has been slashed for research projects,” said Singh.
The Director urged the BAU VC to strengthen the monitoring mechanism of KVKs to ensure that KVK scientists devote more time and energy at their respective centres. He informed that new projects on integrated farming system, rainwater harvesting, micro irrigation system and fishery model will be launched soon at every KVK.
Speaking on the occasion Ex ADG, ICAR, Dr JS Chauhan, emphasized that all stakeholders in government agencies should join hands in transfer of technology works. Increasing farmers’ income and reducing their cost of cultivation should be the focus point of all efforts of agricultural universities, research institutes and KVKs, he added. He also stressed on incorporating livestock, fishery and poultry into the farming system for sustained income even under the challenges posed by climate change.
Director Extension Education, Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Samastipur, Bihar, Dr MS Kundu said the number of KVKs in the country during the last 45 years has increased from 1 to 721 and scientists need to work with passion for desired real results on the ground.
He stressed that a team of research scientists should regularly visit farmers’ fields to assess the required modification and refinement in the existing technologies and incorporate farmers priorities in future research programmes.
Addressing the gathering, BAU Vice Chancellor Dr Onkar Nath Singh, who chaired the meet, said majority of Jharkhand farmers are small and marginal.
Therefore, development of low-cost, area-specific and system-responsive technologies should be a priority of scientists. The university has initiated several programmes to relook at the needs, interests and preferences of state farmers, he added.
