NEW DELHI, 24 October 2025 : Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, chaired a high-level meeting at Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi, to review strategies for strengthening Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and enhancing their effectiveness. Agriculture Secretary Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi and ICAR Director General Dr. M.L. Jat participated in the deliberations.

Shri Chouhan noted that India currently has 731 KVKs, which serve as the primary interface between scientific research and farmers. While planning network expansion, he emphasised the need to bolster these centres to benefit smallholder farmers, highlighting their role in disseminating technology, providing training, and implementing agricultural innovations.

The Minister urged KVKs to actively facilitate government policies and programmes, promoting farmer welfare and awareness. He directed the development of model initiatives in integrated farming and natural agriculture to demonstrate best practices to farmers.

Officials from ICAR were instructed to provide KVKs with adequate financial, technical, and human resources to improve their operational efficiency. Shri Chouhan also called for academic parity, promotions, and appropriate incentives for KVK scientists and staff based on their qualifications.

The meeting also addressed uniformity across KVKs in training, research extension, and promotion of agricultural entrepreneurship. Discussions were held on staff salaries, allowances, retirement benefits, and coordination with state governments, NITI Aayog, and the Ministry of Finance to implement comprehensive solutions.

Shri Chouhan reiterated that empowered KVKs are vital to ensuring that small farmers receive timely support and that their work contributes meaningfully to India’s agricultural development.