Lok Sabha Question No. 4430 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-28
Subject: Dissemination of Research Information
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Arvind Ganpat Sawant

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4430 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 th  MARCH, 2023

## DISSEMINATION OF RESEARCH INFORMATION

4430.  SHRI ARVIND GANPAT SAWANT:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ षि और षकसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware that the results of research in agriculture sector are not reaching the farmers and this has become a hindrance in the development of agriculture sector in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(b)  the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  disseminate  information  related  to scientific research in agriculture to the farmers;

(c) whether the Government has provided any assistance to the farmers to use modern and state-of-the-art equipments for agricultural purposes;

(d) if so, whether the Union Government, in coordination with the State Governments, is providing assistance to the farmers to purchase these equipments at concessional rates;

(e) whether there is any proposal to increase the number of Krishi Vigyan Kendras in the country; and

(f) if so, the details thereof, State-wise including Maharashtra?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ षि और षकसान कल्याण मंत्री (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) and (b) The Government of India, under the aegis of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), has established 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in various districts across the country to disseminate information to farmers related to results of research in  agriculture  sector.  The  activities  of  KVKs  include  On-farm  testing  to  identify  the location specificity of technology under various farming systems; Frontline demonstration to establish the production potential of improved agricultural technologies on  the  farmers;  fields;  Capacity  development  of  famers  for  knowledge  and  skill  up gradation;  providing  farm  advisories  using  ICT  and  other  media  means  on  varied subjects of interest to famers; and production of quality seeds and planting materials for availability  to  the  farmers.  In  order  to  develop  awareness  of  improved  agricultural technology among the farmers, a large number of extension activities are also taken up by the KVKs.

Besides, Government also implements a Centrally Sponsored Scheme namely 'Support to  State  Extension  Programmes  for  Extension  Reforms'  popularly  known  as  'ATMA (Agricultural  Technology  Management  Agency)  Scheme'  to  support  efforts  of  State Governments  in  making  available  latest  agricultural  technologies  through  various extension activities like, farmers training, demonstrations, exposure visits, kisan mela, mobilization of Farmers Groups and organizing Farm Schools etc.

(c) and (d) The  Government  has  been  implementing  Sub  Mission  on  Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) through State Governments since April 2014 for promotion of farm  mechanization by  establishment  of  Custom  Hiring  Centres  of  hi-tech  and  high value  farm  equipment,  distribution  of  various  agricultural  implements,  demonstration and capacity building of stakeholders. Since 2018-19, the Government is also providing support to the States of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and NCT of Delhi and 60 KVKs of  these  States  through  a  Central  Sector  Scheme  on  'Promotion  of  Agricultural Mechanization' to encourage farmers through training and demonstration on use of new farm  machineries  and  implements  for  In-Situ  Crop  Residue  Management.  Besides, KVKs also organize training for farmers in the area of farm mechanization.

(e) and (f) So  far,  731  KVKs  have  been  established  and  there  is  a  provision  of establishing 14 more KVKs in the country. State/UT wise list of districts where opening of new KVKs is provisioned is given in Annexure-I .

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## Annexure-I

[To the part (e) and (f) of LS USQ no. 4430 to be answered ON 28 th  March, 2023]

## State/UT wise list of districts for KVKs provisioned in the EFC of 2021-26

| Name of State/UT     | Name of District            |
|----------------------|-----------------------------|
| Dadra & Nagar Haveli | Silvasa                     |
| Daman & Diu          | Daman, Diu                  |
| Haryana              | Palwal, Mewat, Panchkula    |
| Jammu & Kashmir      | Udhampur                    |
| Puducherry           | Mahe                        |
| Rajasthan            | Sriganganagar               |
| Uttarakhand          | Pithoragarh, Chamoli        |
| West Bengal          | Bankura, Birbhum, Bardhaman |

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