Pillar: Opportunity Infrastructure
A Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) is a farm science centre that tests improved agricultural practices under local conditions and trains farmers to adopt them. Technologies developed by ICAR research institutes and agricultural universities are taken to farmers' fields by KVKs through On-Farm Testing (On-Farm Trial (OFT)), Frontline Demonstrations (FLDs), training programmes and extension activities. There is one KVK in almost every district — over 730 across India. Each KVK is funded by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) but operated by a "host institution" such as a state agricultural university, an ICAR research institute, or an NGO. If your family farms or you are interested in agriculture-based livelihoods, the KVK is the closest government-backed institution connecting agricultural research to what happens in the field.
If you want to learn a new farming technique, get your soil tested, access improved seeds, or explore agriculture-based enterprise training (mushroom cultivation, beekeeping, food processing), the KVK provides these services free of charge.
- Conduct Front Line Demonstrations (FLDs) of improved technologies on farmers' fields - Run training programmes for farmers, farm women, and rural youth on crop production, animal husbandry, food processing, and off-farm enterprises - Test whether new varieties and techniques work under local soil and climate conditions before wider promotion - Produce and distribute seeds, planting material, fingerlings, and livestock strains - Operate or facilitate soil testing and distribute Soil Health Cards - Provide weather, pest, and market advisories - Run the ARYA (Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture) programme for rural youth in agriculture-based enterprises - Identify and document selected farm innovations and converge with ongoing schemes and programmes within the mandate of KVK
Portal: kvk.icar.gov.in — search by state and district for KVK name, host institution, address, and contact Primary: KVK Telephone Directory 2020 (icar.org.in/.../KVK-TELEPHONE-Directory-2020.pdf). Current district KVK contacts also available on the per-zone ATARI websites (11 zones). Also: Ask the District Agriculture Officer, or search "[district name] KVK" on Google Maps
For what this looks like in a particular district, start from the district courses or the English reference guide (Hindi).