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TAMIL NADU AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY Coimbatore, 641 003, India

www.tnau.ac.in, www.agritech.tnau.ac.in, www.kvktvm.org

KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA-AN OVERVIEW

Compilation by Dr. N. Sathiah, Ph.D Dr. M. Renuga, Ph. D Dr. K. Kavitha, Ph. D

Dr. K. Natarajan, Ph. D Dr. K. Senthamizh, Ph. D

KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA Oilseeds Research Station Campus

Tindivanam, Villupuram Dist – 604 002 kvktvm@tnau.ac.in

2013

TNAU

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CONTENTS

S. No. Particulars Page

1. Introduction 1

2. Genesis of KVKs and growth 1

3. Functioning of Krishi Vigyan Kendra 2

4. Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tindivanam, Villupuram District 5

5. Conclusion

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KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA-AN OVERVIEW 1. Introduction

Realizing the importance of technology dissemination in the changing scenario of food and nutritional security, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research intervened in a big way in technology application through the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (Farm Science Centre). It has been envisaged that technology assessed and demonstrated by the KVK, the scientific frontline extension system will act as model for development departments and catalyze to improve the existing systems for better delivery mechanism.

Krishi Vigyan Kendras, an innovative science based institutions, were thus established to impart all human resource development programmes including vocational training to the farmers and field level extension workers. The concept of vocational training in agriculture through KVK grew substantially due to greater demand for improved agricultural technology by the farmers. They not only required knowledge and understanding of the intricacy of technologies, but also progressively more and more skill development in various complex agricultural operations for adoption in their farms. The effectiveness of the KVK was further enhanced by adding necessary infrastructure, manpower and the activities related to On-Farm Testing and Front-Line Demonstration on major agricultural technologies in order to make the capacity building of farmers location specific, need based and resource-oriented. 2. Genesis of KVKs and growth

The Second Education Commission (1964-66) under the chairmanship of Dr. D. S. Kothari, recommended for the establishment of agricultural polytechnics to provide vocational education in agriculture to school dropouts and other rural youths. After careful deliberation by the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Agriculture and the Planning Commission and as a follow up of the recommendation, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) appointed a Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. Mohan Singh Mehta of Seva Mandir, Udaiypur in 1973 for formulating the institutional design of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK) for providing vocational training in agriculture. Based on the recommendation of Education Commission (1964-66), discussion by the Planning Commission and Inter-Ministerial Committee, and further recommendation by the committee headed by Dr. Mohan Singh Mehta appointed by ICAR, the idea of establishment of Farm Science Centre (Krishi Vigyan Kendra) was developed. The basic principles enunciated by the Mehta Committee (1973) include:

The Kendras will impart learning through work-experience and hence will be concerned with technical literacy, the acquisition of which does not necessarily require the ability to read and write.

The Kendra will impart training only to those extension workers who are employed and to the practicing farmers and fishermen. In other words, the Kendras will cater to the needs of those who are already employed or those who wish to be self-employed.

There will be no uniform syllabus for the Kendras. The syllabus and programme of each Kendra will be flexible in nature and tailored according to the felt needs, natural resources and potential for agricultural growth in that particular area.

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The first KVK, on a pilot basis, was established in 1974 at Puducherry under the administrative control of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. In 1976-77, the Planning Commission approved the proposal of the ICAR to establish 18 KVKs during the Fifth Five Year Plan. With the growing demand for more such Kendras, the number of KVKs increased to 634 presently in the country.

In Tamil Nadu, we have KVKs in all the districts except the newly formed Tiruppur District. The KVKs belong to Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (14), Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (3), Deemed University (2), NGOs (11). The KVKs, thus are the down-to-earth institutions committed to vocational training, transfer of latest technologies, on farm research and thus, serving as the light house for overall rural development in the district and operational areas. 3. The functioning of Krishi Vigyan Kendra 3.1. Mandate

The overall mandate of the KVK is to develop and disseminate location specific technological modules at district level through Technology Assessment, Refinement and Demonstration and to act as Knowledge and Resource Centre for Agriculture and its allied activities.

3.2. Important Components in KVK functioning

Authority of the KVK’s is vested in the ICAR having it’s headquarter at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi. The Council is a society registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860 of India. The Director General, ICAR and Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and education, GOI, is the Principal Executive of the Council. He is supported by the Deputy Director General, Agricultural Extension who is responsible for implementation of the agricultural extension programmes in the counseling and giving advice to him on all policy issues related to extension programmes. The DDG (Agricultural Extension) is the head of Agricultural Extension Division of the Council which is one of the 8 divisions. The division is responsible for co-ordination of front line extension education programmes of the ICAR at national level. There are 8 Zonal Project Directorates located in eight zones of the country. Each ZPD is headed by a Zonal Project Director. Coordination and monitoring functions at the zonal level is being performed by the ZPD unit. The grantee/host institution has to provide overall supervision of the programme in the KVK. The Programme Coordinator of the KVK is the Principal Executive Officer of the respective Kendra. The important components in functioning of the KVKs are:

Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) Consisting representation of stakeholders & meeting once in a year to review and priority setting

Demonstration Units : Location specific to educate farmers Crop Cafeteria : Providing options to farmers to select from Diagnostic and Advisory Services : Diagnostic & advisory at Farm Science Centre

Expert visit to Farmers field Seed, planting material production and other products as technology inputs Revolving fund : Maintenance of account, use for farm related activities

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Technology backstopping by Agricultural Universities/Research organizations 3.3. Activities of the KVK

The specific activities to carry out the mandate are: Conducting on-farm testing to identify the location specificity of agricultural

technologies under various farming systems Organizing frontline demonstrations to establish production potential of various

crops and enterprises on the farmers’ fields Organizing need based training of farmers to update their knowledge and skills in

modern agricultural technologies related to technology assessment, refinement and demonstration, and training of extension personnel to orient them in the frontier areas of technology development

Creating awareness about improved technologies to larger masses through appropriate extension programmes

Production and supply of good quality seeds and planting materials, livestock, poultry and fisheries breeds and products and various bio-products to the farming community.

Work as resource and knowledge centre of agricultural technology for supporting initiatives of public, private and voluntary sector for improving the agricultural economy of the district.

The various identified activities of the KVK are performed in convergence mode with the research and development departments. The ICAR has given the broad thrust for the KVK as follows.

Farm Science Centre as a platform for alliance of ICAR, Universities-State Govt. – NGOs Product development, convergence, farmer led extension & women empowerment Models of public-private partnership to be evolved for development of processes,

technology application and its flow Host institutions to take up the issues like use of ICT, methodological backstopping,

quality production and other such interventions. Farm Science Centre to build agri-alert system, agro-advisory through mobile,

Technology Park for better clientele services. Inter exchange of technologies, methodologies, visits, HRD, etc. Extension research and impact evaluation studies Developing indigenous models and methods for enhancing the efficiency of the

extension system. Promotion of modern equipments and machinery in farm sector, also locally fabricated

and modified tools State level Farm Science Centre Interface Development of Farm Science Centre websites, creation of data base & content

development. Farmers’ Reach (footprint) and Farm Science Centre outreach.

The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore provides all the technology backstopping for the KVKs of the state. In addition, the Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal

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Sciences University guides the KVK in animal sciences and allied aspects. The National Level and Regional Institutes of ICAR, Research Stations of the TNAU across the state and country play a major role in the technology backstopping for the KVK. The KVK has to establish the linkages with the development departments in agriculture and allied services, rural development departments, financial institutions within the district for effective translation of the technologies. The technology focus is spread in the following areas:

Food security Livestock, poultry & fisheries development Resource conservation Climate resilience Water harvesting Quality production Post harvest & value addition Biodiversity Drudgery reduction

3.4. Development Vision and Strategy for the District

In the technology application and integration process, the KVK takes into account the needs of district in development and tailors its programme. These are reflected in the annual plan of the KVKs thoroughly. Each district has a vision and strategy which is conceptualized as follows. (i) Vision Uplifting the level of living of the rural households by increasing the productivity levels of crops, livestock and fishery through effective transfer of technology, modernization of the irrigation systems and crop diversification that could generate more rural employment and income, in the long - run. (ii) Strategy In order to realize the vision put forth above, the following strategies are contemplated in the district: Raising the productivity levels of crops, livestock and fisheries through the application of latest science based technologies in primary and secondary agriculture and allied enterprises.

Modernizing/developing the existing irrigation systems/structures/waterways Optimal use of groundwater potential through water conservation and water harvesting

techniques and by preventing sea water intrusions in coastal belt. Crop diversification by replacing less remunerative crops by more profitable crops. Popularisation of farming system approach. Development of inland marine fisheries by the application of latest production

techniques with infrastructure and financial supports. Strengthening and developing the agro processing industry

3.5. Sectoral programmes and activities of KVK Introduction and popularization of high yielding varieties/technologies, cropping system, nursery management in crops, INM, IPM, IWM, water conservation through precision

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farming, farm mechanization, self employment, value addition, improving the health and care of bovine and avian population, backyard poultry, yield of milch animals and production & supply of quality seed materials were the major thrust areas during the period of report. The programmes and activities are based on the thrusts developed for the districts. 4. Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tindivanam, Villupuram

The Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Villupuram District came into existence in 2004 and caters to the need of the Villupuram District located in the North Eastern Agroclimatic Zone of the State. The Kendra is under the administrative control of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore and fully financed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi. The KVK operational area is spread across 22 administrative blocks in 7 taluks that have distinct topographical and geophysical conditions. During the nine years of functioning, KVK, Tindivanam has played a strategic role to improve the livelihood of the poor, generate additional income from the farm, developed mechanisms for conservation and augmentation of water for irrigation needs in the water starved areas, popularized mechanization in frontier areas, productively linked the producers with market and infused the concept of secondary agriculture and striving for rural transformation.

4.1. About the KVK The KVK has infrastructure to meet the mandate. An instructional farm of 25 acres, administrative structures and farmers hostels are available.

Total land with KVK (in ha) : 16.8 ha S. No. Item Area (ha)

1 Under Buildings 2.4 2. Under Demonstration Units 160m2 3. Under Crops 10 4. Orchard/Agro-forestry 2.8

4.1.1. Laboratories and other facilities available

1. Automatic Weather Station 2. Soil and Water Testing Laboratory 3. Plant Health Diagnostic Facility 4. Natural resource management 5. Videoconferencing facility 6. Shadenet multiplication of horticultural crops 7. Vermicompost production unit 8. Home Science training facility 9. KMAS SMS facility 10. Farm machinery unit 11. Mushroom unit 12. Seed production unit

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13. Mist chambers for horticultural crops production 14. Demonstration plots on microirrigation, pest management etc. 15. Goat unit 16. Silvipasture model

4.2. Profile of Villupuram District

Villupuram district situated in the North Eastern agroclimatic zone of Tamil Nadu is one of the agrarian based districts with well over 60.2% of the population engaged in agriculture. Nearness to state capital and Union Territory of Pondichery, nearness to growth centers like Tiruchirapalli, Salem and Export promotion Zone are the major strengths of this district. The district sprawls over an area of 8,204.63 Sq. kms spread in 1486 villages. The district comprises of 8 taluks and 22 blocks.

The population of the district has grown from 29.60 lakhs during 2001 to 34.63 lakhs during 2011 census and ranked seventh in the state considering the population size. It contributes 4.80 per cent population to the state. The percentage decadal variation in population during 2011 census is 17.0 compared to 7.4 during 2001. The rural population contributes to 85.28%. Over the last decade the rural population has grown by 16.58% and this is the highest in the state. Majority of the population depend on agriculture for their livelihood. The literacy rate of the population as in 2011 census is just 72.05% (Male: 80.58%; Female: 63.51%) which is well below the state average of 80.33% (Male: 86.81%; Female: 73.86%). The gender gap in literacy is 17.1% (Rural: 18.04%; Urban: 11.76%). The growth rate of literates during the decade is 36.06 in the rural side compared to 28.74 among the urban population. The highest number of rural literates has been recorded in Viluppuram district (1.83 million) only in the state. Villupuram district is industrially a backward district. It is the home of four sugar mills and modern rice mills.

Clayey loam (45%), sandy loam (40%) and red soil (15%) are the predominant soils of the district. About 76 per cent of the land holdings are less than one hectare of land, 15 per cent of them own 1to 2 hectares of land and only 9 per cent of the land holders own more than 2 hectares of land. On the other hand it could be observed that about 33 per cent of land area is operated by small farms, while the large farms operate 41 per cent of the land area indicating the skewed distribution of land area. The major sources of irrigation are tube wells and open dug wells. Most of the blocks have reached the over exploited stage in groundwater. Of the 22 blocks 14 are categorised overexploited while four are critical in terms of exploitation of groundwater.

The normal cultivable area for the district is 3894 sqkm. The net sown area accounts for 3.33 lakh hectares while the net irrigated area is 2.34 l hectares. Out of 13026645 ha of the total geographical area in the state, 5042896 ha of land constituting 38.7% is cultivated once with various crops during the year 08-09 (Season and Crop Report 2008-09). Vast stretches of waste land are formed in Gingee, Kallakurichi, Marakkanam and Vanur Blocks. Sizable area remains as current fallow (12 percent of the geographical area). Forest land accounts for 9.93 per cent in the geographical area in the district as against the normal requirement of about 30 per cent coverage. which spreads in the areas bordering Salem, Dharmapuri and Thiruvannamalai Districts with divisions of reserve forest, interface forest and social forest.

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Teak wood, rose wood and sandal wood trees are grown in the hills. In the Kalrayan Hills and Gingee areas some medicinal plants are also grown. In the social forest areas, trees raised are mainly for firewood and paper making. Babul, Eucalyptus and Casuarina are found to be grown in the district. In some pockets of the district, cashew is also grown. Of the total net area sown in the State, the share of Villupuram district was the highest with 336079 ha (6.7%). The cropping intensity is 1.105 compared to the state average of 1.155 and 1.824 for the Nagapattinam district which is the highest in the state. Villupuram district has two water basins and they are Vellar Basin and Pennaiyar Basin. Villupuram district is at the top with 232486 ha net area irrigated in the state. The net area irrigated by wells during the year 08-09 was the highest in Villupuram district with 10.7% of the total net area irrigated by the wells in the state. The irrigation intensity is 1.12 for the district while it is 1.16 for the state.

The district possesses 8.24 lakhs of white cattle. There are about 0.5 lakhs of buffaloes. While goat population is 4.71 lakhs, sheep population is 2.28 lakhs .The poultry population is 7.72 lakhs. Thus sizable cattle and poultry population indicates the potentials for livestock development in the district.

Villupuram district has a coastal line of 30 kms. Inland fresh water area spreads on about 83014 hectares and estuaries & brackish water area is 2072 hectares. Marine fishing is practised in 19 coastal villages of the district. The fish production has increased both in quantity and values. There has been no fish seed production of standard fry. Fish production in both inland and coastal have steadily increased from 1993 onward.

The average consumption of chemical fertilizers (NPK) is 70780 MT besides 31350 l of pesticides during 2010-11 for agriculture. The range of agricultural productivity in Tamil Nadu is found to be Rs. 11,300 - Rs 98,700/ha of NSA. The average farm income for the Villupuram district is Rs. 40486/ha as per 2011 NCAP statistics. The percapita income on interdistrict comparison for Villupuram District is below the state average and the least in Tamil Nadu as per 2003 estimates. There are 17 regulated markets and one subregulated markets in the district and the average arrivals of stocks is around 4.7 lakh tonnes/annum with receipts accounting for Rs. 571.64 lakhs. The total value of the products transacted ranges from Rs. 226 crore to Rs. 324 crore per annum. 75 per cent, Ragi 38 per cent, groundnut 16 per cent Gingelly 159 per cent, Cotton 31 per cent and Pulses 20 per cent.

The GDI for Villupuram district is 0.582 as against the state value of 0.654. The Gender Development Index Values among the districts in Tamil Nadu vary from 0.582 to 0.766 and hence Villupuram district stands the last. The GDI rank is less than the HDI rank in Villupuram district showing that the women in the district suffer from lower achievements than men.

The major crops grown in the district are paddy, cumbu, maize, groundnut, cotton, gingelly, sugarcane etc. Paddy is the principal crop extensively cultivated in the district having a unique three-season pattern viz Sornavari (April to July), Samba (August to November) and Navarai (December to March). Paddy accounts for 146641 ha and contributes to 39.5% of gross cropped area in the district and 7.6% of the total cropped area in the state during 08-09. The area under all categories of pulses is 19483 ha. In 52991 ha planted and ratoon canes are grown which is the highest in the state. Groundnut is one of the principal crops of the district and grown in 51326 ha of the total area of 489344 ha in the state and emerged the first in the state. The percentage of areas of different crops viz., paddy, blackgram, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables,

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groundnut, cotton are 39.5, 4.5, 14.27, 2.66, 3.49, 13.83, 2.83% respectively. The average yield rates for paddy is 3076 kg/ha compared to 2682 kg/ha for the state. In case of blackgram it is 546 kg/ha compared to 315 kg/ha for the state. For groundnut the average yield rates are 2447 kg/ha compared to 1990 kg/ha for the state. Among the horticultural crops, mango is the major crop and grown in 1614 ha with productivity of 3355 kg/ha. Tapioca is grown in 11376 ha with an average productivity of 29.55 tonnes/ha.

At present the Government is focusing on promoting agriculture and allied activities, value addition, modern farm technologies, marketing of agricultural produces and increasing export avenues for agricultural products through several schemes and encouraging the farmers to adopt new technologies. Several emerging challenges confront Villupuram district farmers like any other Indian farmers. Major obstacles faced now are shrinking natural resources and constraints in rainfed agriculture production systems These include limited land and water availability, which is further exacerbated by degradation of natural resources; climate changes; changes in demand and consumption patterns, moving toward high-value agriculture; increasing population pressure; and liberalization of trade. Feeding the ever-increasing population remains an uphill task. These call for vibrant approaches to increase the production and productivity. A holistic forward movement which is demand driven is needed to improve the farm income and a qualitative leap is required in agriculture and farm operations. 4.2.1. Cropping pattern of the District Command areas (Sathanur) - Heavy clay and sandy soils Existing •Rice (Aug.-Jan.) -pulses/gingelly (Jan.-April) Normal year •Rice (Aug.-Jan.) -pulses / gingelly (Jan.-April) •Rice (Aug.-Jan) – pulses/sesame/maize (Jan.-April) Moderate drought year •Maize/pearl millet (Aug.-Dec.)-pulses (Jan.-March) Severe drought year •Pearl millet / sorghum / fodder (Oct.-Jan.) •Vegetables (lab lab / cluster bean / bhendi) (Oct.-an.) for heavy soils Tank fed areas: tank alluvium (heavy clay and laterite soils) Existing •Rice (Aug.-Jan.) -pulses (Jan.-April) Normal year •Rice (Aug.-Jan.) – pulses (Jan.-Apr.) Moderate drought year •Pearl millet (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses (Feb.-April) Pulses (June-Sep.) – wheat (Nov.-Feb.) Severe drought year •Wheat / fodder (Nov.-Feb.) Well irrigated areas: laterite, red and black soils Existing •Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - groundnut (March.-April) – gingelly (April - June)

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Normal year •Sugarcane (Dec.-Jan.) – ratoon sugarcane (Jan.-Nov.)-rice (Dec.-May) - groundnut (June - Sep./Oct.) - 3 years rotation •Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - groundnut (March.-April) – gingelly (April - June) •Maize (June-Sep) – marigold (Oct.-Feb.)- pulses (Feb.-May) •Vegetables (June-Oct.) - maize (Oct.-Jan.) - pulses (Feb.-May) •Vegetables (Jun.-Oct) – sugarbeet* (Nov.-Feb) – pulses (Feb-May) •Sugarcane (Dec.-Jan.) – ratoon sugarcane (Jan.-Nov.)-rice (Dec.-May) - groundnut (June - Sep./Oct.) - 3 years rotation •Sweet sorghum* (Jun-Sep) – sugarbeet* (Nov-Feb) – Gingelly (Feb- May) •Vegetables (Jun.-Sept.) – sugarbeet* (Sept.-Feb) – pulses (Feb-May) •Groundnut (Jun-Sept) – sugarbeet* (Sept.-Feb) – Sweet sorghum* (Feb-May) •Groundnut (Jun-Sept.) – jatropha* (Sept. sowing) Moderate drought year •Vegetables (lab lab / cluster bean / bhendi) (May-July) – maize/sunflower (Aug.-Dec.) - groundnut / gingelly (Jan.-April) •Maize (Jun-Sept) – sugarbeet* (Sept.-Feb) – pulses (Jun-Sept) Severe drought year •Pearl millet / sorghum / Periwinkle*/ senna* (July-Oct.) - wheat (Nov.-Feb.) – lab lab / cluster bean / bhendi / watermelon (Feb-May) •Jatropha* (Sept. sowing) •Groundnut (Jun-Sept) – jatropha* (Sept. sowing) (under drip irrigation) Rainfed areas: laterite, red and black soils Existing •Pearl millet (June - Sep.) - groundnut (Oct.-Feb.) •Gingelly (June-Sep.) - groundnut (Oct.-Feb.) •Groundnut (June-Sep.) – gingelly (Oct.-Feb.) Normal year •Maize /pearl millet (June-Sep.)-groundnut (Oct-Feb) •Gingelly (June-Sep.) - groundnut (Oct.-Feb.) •Groundnut (June-Sep.) - pulses (Oct.-Jan.) •Ashwaganda* (June-Jan)-pulses (lablab) (Feb-May) Moderate drought year •Maize (heavy soils)/sunflower + pulses / gingelly (Oct.- Jan.) Severe drought year •Pearl millet / horsegram / sunflower / minor millets / pulses (Oct.- Jan.) – sugarbeet* (Sept.-Feb) – pulses (Feb-Apr)

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4.2.2. Development issues 1. The yield gap exists in major field crops grown in the district and this requires effective

transfer of technologies. 2. Lower literacy level, lack of entrepreneurial traits limit the pace of development and

hence the development education must be the core of development planning. 3. Lack of organized efforts in adopting the water harvesting techniques resulting in more

surface run- off rain water and hence the recharge of groundwater is at the minimal. 4. Paucity of the funds to take up mechanization on large scale. 5. Large number of marginal and small farms. 6. Heavy silting of tanks and distributaries reduced the water –holding capacity and the

water flow to a great degree. 7. Lack of exposure of farmers particularly of dry land tract to the feasibility of cultivating

horticultural crops for more profitability. 8. Non exploitation of the potential for hill products development in the kalrayan hills. 9. Inadequate coping strategies in stress management for livestock and breeds thereof. 10. Non utilization of ornamental fish production on commercial basis 11. Lack of knowledge and efforts on secondary agriculture. 4.3. Major Areas of Focus of KVK, Villupuram District Farmers require a diverse range of information to support their farm enterprises.

Information is needed not only on best practices and technologies for crop production, which the traditional public-sector extension system provided during the Green Revolution, but also knowledge about the following areas from time to time in tune with changing technologies and governmental policies. For Villupuram District the KVK has visualised the following focal areas:

1. Seeds and irrigation as priority areas, for raising productivity on the supply side. 2. Integrated development of major food crops like paddy, coarse cereals, minor millets,

pulses, oilseeds; 3. Agriculture mechanization and popularisation of mechanised village concept; 4. Activities related to enhancement of soil health and balanced mining of nutrients from

soil for crop growth; 5. Development of rainfed farming systems in and outside watershed areas, as also

integrated development of watershed areas, wastelands, river valleys; 6. Integrated Pest Management schemes; 7. Strengthening of infrastructure to promote extension Services; 8. Activities relating to enhancement of horticultural production and popularization of

micro irrigation systems; 9. Animal husbandry and fisheries development activities; 10. Study tours of farmers; 11. Organic and bio-fertilizers; 12. Innovative schemes for absorption of technologies and technology uptake; 13. Exchange of information using ICT 14. Speedier and effective delivery of public services and interactive presence for trouble

shooting;

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15. Recognizing the role of women in agriculture and promoting gender appreciativeness and equality;

16. Productively utilize the private extension in niche areas for district development 17. Develop rural technocrat through district level initiative for promoting other progressive

farmers concept 18. Increase the land productivity in small holder system and providing integrated farming

system concept.

4.4. Milestones achieved in the District Introduction of crop varieties and hybrids Integrated crop management Farm Mechanization Biological control of pests and diseases, IPM Sustainable agriculture by IFS Seed Production techniques Drought management and mitigation Livestock production and nutrition management Natural resource management and Resource conservation Farm management techniques and group dynamism Rural employment and revenue generation Demonstration capabilities of the farmers

5. Conclusion

The Krishi Vigyan Kendras are the voice of agriculture in the district and its activities are in tune with the national and state mandates. They match the district requirement in technology backstopping, rural employment, attracting rural youth in agriculture and allied enterprises. The KVK are in the forefront in the role-out of technologies for the benefit of farming community. The vision of the country and state in fostering market-led growth, realizing farm productivity are strengthened with KVK backstopping in the district.

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