Annual Zonal Workshop 2023 of KVKs under ICAR-ATARI Kolkata was organized by ICAR-ATARI Kolkata in collaboration with UBKV-KVK Kalimpong during June 7-9, 2023 at Kalimpong, West Bengal. In this program, 59 KVKs of Andaman & Nicobar Islands (3),Odisha (33) and West Bengal (23) participated and presented their progress report (2022-23) and action plan (2023-24).
Sri Ruden Sada Lepcha, Hon’ble MLA, Kalimpong, the Chief Guest of Inaugural ceremony hoped that the discussions held during the workshop would help in solving the issues in agriculture and allied sectors. He expressed his concern over the rising population and at the same time, he appreciated the efforts of scientists in making our country self-sufficient in food. Dr. U. S. Gautam, DDG (AE), ICAR, while appreciating the contribution of KVKs at National level, stressed upon the necessities of strengthening KVKs as ‘Single Window Delivery System’ or ‘One Stop Solution’. He emphasized on the convergence of KVKs with different Ministries/Departments and mentioned about some unique new initiatives to be taken in future. He also informed the house that the ICAR would be in process of taking up necessary steps for staff welfare of KVKs across the country. In the break out session, mentioned about the need for taking up in house research project by ATARs. Dr. S. K. Chakrabarti, Ex-VC, UBKV appreciated the unique review system of KVKs. He mentioned that KVKs immensely contributed toward food and nutritional security of the nation. He complimented KVKs for upscaling natural farming technology at district level and appreciated ATARI for all round achievements in physical and financial aspects in all projects implemented by them.
Dr. P. Dey, Director, ICAR-ATARI Kolkata mentioned that about 20 flagship projects were being operated by this ATARI and presented the salient achievements of those projects. He emphasized that during the Amrit Kal, there was a need to transform KVKs to serve as a catalyst and convergence hub for Indian Agriculture in order to achieve the nation’s aspirations by 2047. He reminded KVKs about the responsibility to safeguard the present natural resources for the future generation and advised to keep continuing good works so as to improve the fate of farming community as well as ranking of KVKs of this zone at national
level.
Dr. S. S. Singh, DEE, RLBCAU, Jhansi and Ex-Director, ICAR-ATARI Kolkata requested KVKs to give emphasis on the infrastructure development from different funding sources other than ICAR. He urged upon the KVKs of this zone to focus on expansion of area under
floriculture, enhancement of oilseed production, transfer of climate resilient technology to nonNICRA KVKs/villages, precision farming, capacity building, forward linkage support to FPOs etc. He also suggested that data on soil health parameters should be included while carrying
out trials and demonstrations under natural farming.
Dr. S. P. Das, Director, NRC on Orchid, Sikkim mentioned about the MoU signed between ATARI Kolkata and NRC on Orchid for promotion of orchid farming in the region. He emphasized specifically for promotion of orchids in plains. Six KVKs of West Bengal were identified for intensifying their works on orchid cultivation. While orchid business at world level had reached to the tune of Rs. 40000 crore, India had a meagre share of only Rs. 50 crore. There was a great scope for area expansion of orchid through KVKs even in non-traditional
areas.
Dr. H. K. Senapati, Chairman, ZMC, NICRA stated that KVK could be a platform for education, research and extension. The KVK scientists are continuously working for social and economic upliftment of the farming community of the country. He wished that all 59 KVKs of this zone would excel with the help of ATARI Kolkata.
Twenty four publications of ATARI Kolkata and different KVKs were released and two MoUs were signed during the occasion.
After the inauguration, the KVKs presented their achievements (2022-23) and action plan (2023-24) in three concurrent technical sessions and the reports of all Technical Sessions were presented in the Valedictory Session. A total of about 140 persons including MLA, DDG (AE), ADG (AE), Vice-Chancellor, Directors of different ICAR institutes, DEEs of SAUs, Pr. Scientists (AE) and ATARI Kolkata, Scientists from RRS of ICAR and UBKV, SSHs and SMSs of KVKs, staff of UBKV-KVKs and many others attended the workshop. The workshop ended with the thanks to the Chairs.
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