Quinquennial Review meeting of Krishi Vigyan Kendras, SKUAST-Jammu held
Quinquennial Review meeting of Krishi Vigyan Kendras under the administrative control of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Jammu held to review the extension activities carried out with effect from 2011-12 to 2018-2019. The meeting was convened on virtual platform under the Chairmanship of Dr. S L Mehta Former VC, MPUAT Udaipur & Ex-DDG (Edn), ICAR in the presence of other members of QRT Prof. M.M. Adhikary, University Professor & Former Vice-Chancellor, BCKV, West Bengal, Dr. Prabhu Kumar, Former Director of ICAR-ATARI, Bengalure and Ludhiana, Dr. Santosh Rout and Matta Narsimha Reddy were among the other members of QRT. Prof. J.P. Sharma Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu, Dr. Rajbir Singh, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Zone-I, Ludhiana, Dr. S.K. Gupta, Director Extension, Dr. Arvind Kumar, Principal Scientist, Dr. R.K. Arora, Associate Director Extension (KVKs) and Senior Scientist & Heads of KVKs were present in the meeting. Seven presentations were made during the meeting which included technological backstopping by Directorate of Extension and work done by KVKs.
While appreciating the presentations, Dr. S L Mehta, Chairman QRT ensured full support from ICAR for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of KVKs. He suggested for implementing out of box interventions of farmers’ fields by moving away from stereotype activities. He further advocated cluster approach for carrying out extension activities in remote areas. Prof. JP Sharma, Vice Chancellor SKUAST-Jammu suggested KVKs to display the list of awardee farmers to boost the morale of farming community. He advised Jammu Model of Extension by popularization of community level value addition, digital culture, bee-keeping, and other technologies for increasing productivity at national level.
Prof. M.M. Adhikary stressed upon the need for using ICT based technologies for reaching the unreached owing to the limited scientific staff in KVKs. Dr. Santosh Rout suggested KVKs to enhance their capacity for production and provision of quality seed and planting material. Dr. M.N. Reddy recommended community radio as a tool for effective transfer of technology. Dr. Rajbir Singh briefed about the profile of KVKs under SKUAST-Jammu and appreciated their role in creating success in farmers’ fields. He suggested to work on a missionary mode in KVKs and emphasized upon market led extension, specialization and faculty upgradation.
Dr. S K Gupta, Director Extension Education, SKUAST- Jammu presented the details of activities carried out for technological backstopping of KVKs, including HRD activities, workshops and provision of technological products. He also expressed his vision for early establishment of three remaining KVKs in Udhampur, Ramban, and Kishtwar of Jammu region. This was followed by presentations made by Senior Scientist and Heads of all the KVK’s of SKUAST-Jammu which included Doda, Jammu, Kathua, Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi.
Dr. Arvind Kumar, Principal Scientist ICAR-ATARI Ludhiana conducted the proceedings and present formal vote of thanks.
