ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI), Ludhiana in collaboration with GBPUA&T, Pantnagar organized three days Annual Zonal KVK Workshop-2023 at Uttaranchal University, Dehradun during 26-28 June 2023. This workshop aimed at reviewing the progress report and finalizing the action plan for 72 KVKs in Punjab, HP, Uttarakhand, J&K and Ladakh. More than 250 delegates including Directors of Extension Education of State Agricultural Universities, Heads and Scientists of KVKs; Scientists and Officials of ICAR-ATARI, Ludhiana; and officials of Uttaranchal University attended the program.
The Chief Guest of the Inaugural Session, Dr. Manmohan Singh Chauhan, Vice-Chancellor, GBPUAT, Pantnagar shared his professional experiences of ‘Think Globally and Act Locally” for sustainable agricultural development in the country. He emphasized the need of creating farmer’s platforms for facilitating better marketing of agricultural produce and strengthening KVKs to deliver the best of their services to the farming community.
Dr. Parvinder Kaushal, Vice-Chancellor, VCSG-UUHF, Bharsar and the Guest of Honour lauded the KVKs’ efforts in providing services at the farmers’ doorsteps and even much beyond their mandated activities. He categorically pointed out creating farmers’ awareness towards smartphone-based support services and drone technologies as a part of futuristic agriculture.
Dr. Ranjay Kumar Singh, Assistant Director General (Extension), ICAR, New Delhi, in his address, revisited ICAR flagship programs (NICRA, FFP, ARYA, CRM, etc.) implemented by different KVKs and flagged critical issues for taking up corrective measures wherever needed. He also appealed to the host organizations for filling up vacant positions in KVKs immediately.
On the Occasion, Prof. Dharam Buddhi, Vice-Chancellor, of Uttaranchal University expressed his willingness to collaborate with ICAR-ATARI and different KVKs to take up new research and development initiatives.
Dr. Parvender Sheoran, Director, ICAR-ATARI briefly presented the key achievements of KVKs and highlighted success stories for transforming production-oriented agriculture to delivery-based income-oriented agriculture. He also raised critical issues that need immediate attention for the smooth functioning of KVKs. He urged the KVK personnel to share their critical feedback for technology development, refinement and adoption.
Earlier, Dr. A. K. Sharma, Director of Extension Education, GBPUAT, Pantnagar formally welcomed all the participants. In the end, Dr. Arvind Kumar, Principal Scientist, ICAR-ATARI, Ludhiana presented a formal vote of thanks.
Read more: https://atariz1.icar.gov.in/NewsAndEvents.aspx?Id=3235
