ICAR WORKING ON THE INTRODUCTION OF AGRI-EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS- DR AYYAPPAN

LUDHIANA, NOVEMBER 21:-----



The second day of the on-going 7th National Conference on "Krishi Vigyan Kendra –KVK 2012" at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), saw deliberations on best practices and technologies for higher production, value addition and improved livelihood. The farm innovators gave detailed presentations on protected cultivation of fruits and vegetables; innovative diversifies farming, technology integration in dairying and various other farm innovations and best practices developed by the farmers. Earlier, the technical sessions on convergence and linkages between Krishi Vigyan Kendra and Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) programme with thrust on best successful cases of field extension; and KVKs' best practices and innovative approaches for out-scaling technologies were held.

Chairing the two technical sessions on "Best Practices and Technologies for Higher Production, Value Addition and Improved Livelihood" and "Facilitating KVKs in Management, Administrative and Financial Matters," Dr S. Ayyappan, Secretary, Department of Agriculture Research and Education (DARE); and Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), emphasized on focusing on small farm holders and global farm innovators. Highlighting that there is a good variety of farm machinery, he stressed on educating the farmers about various farm implements and equipment; disseminating timely farm knowledge to them; and receiving feedback in return. To create agricultural awareness, Dr Ayyappan disclosed that ICAR is working on the introduction of agricultural education in schools from first standard. The number of girl students in farm varsities has scaled up to 60 per cent, he revealed. He appreciated the views of the cross section of experts including Vice-Chancellors and Directors of Extension Education of state agricultural universities (SAUs), and the representatives of respective zones in guiding the KVKs for the benefit of agriculture and rural population.

In his special presentation, Dr Peter E. Kenmore, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) representative in India, said that KVKs serve as a link between farmers and scientists. There is a unique contribution of India in agriculture because of scientific expertise at district level i.e. through KVKs, stated he. Presently, the problems of the farmers are increasing due to climate change, crop diseases and insect-pests, risk from trade and new conditions by the market for quality requirement. Dr Kenmore underlined the need for empowering KVKs and giving more resources to them for natural resource management and for inspiring national agricultural research system as a whole.

The PAU Vice-Chancellor, Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon suggested research in extension methods and impressed upon making farmers aware of the harmful effects of the stubble burning by equipping them with management techniques through KVKs.

Dr V.K. Taneja, Vice-Chancellor, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and animal Sciences University (GADVASU), emphasized on the involvement of entrepreneurs in demonstration of technologies. The livestock and fisheries scientists should be the integral part of KVKs, he said, adding that the KVKs with expertise in horticulture, farm engineering and livestock should be made mobile. He chaired the technical session on "Farm Innovations and Best Practices Developed by Farmers."

Dr A.K. Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwa Vidyalya, Gwalior; suggested connecting all KVKs through online system.

Dr K.R. Dhiman, Vice-Chancellor, YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan; said that leaving aside apple cultivation, Himachal Pradesh (HP) has a non-commercial agri-system. As most of the KVKs are in remote areas, there is a need to increase the number of KVKs at the places with the largest geographical areas, added he.

For strengthening the technology transfer system, the delegates suggested hostel facility for farm women at KVKs, induction of engineering and marketing specialists, increase in number of farm journals, setting-up of processing plants, placement of innovative farmers at SAUs and custom hiring centers at KVKs.

The ICAR DG, Dr Ayyapan honoured PAU VC Dr Dhillon and a team of senior officers of the University including Dr M.S. Gill, Director of Extension Education; Dr J.S. Mahal, Estate Officer; Dr H.S. Dhaliwal, Additional Director of Extension Education; Dr (Mrs) R.K. Dhaliwal, Head of Extension Education Department; and Dr Balwinder Singh (Head of Entomology). Dr Dhillon also honoured Dr Ayyappan on this occasion. Besides, Dr K.D. Kokate, DDG (Agricultural Extension), ICAR; Dr A.M. Narula, Zonal Project Director, Zone-I (ICAR), PAU campus, Ludhiana, and eminent scientists were also honoured. The dignitaries released a set of publications.




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