Krishi Vigyan Kendra
Why in News: Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan recently visited the ICAR–Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, highlighting its role as the crucial link between agricultural research and the farming community.
Krishi Vigyan Kendra : Key Facts and Status
KVKs, often referred to as ‘Farm Science Centres’, are integral to India’s agricultural extension system, operating at the grassroots level.
| Feature | Detail |
| Nodal Body | ICAR |
| Establishment Year | 1974 |
| First KVK | Established in Puducherry (then Pondicherry) |
| Affiliation | Operates under the administrative control of Agricultural Universities, ICAR Institutes, Government Departments, or NGOs |
| Funding | 100% financed by the Government of India |
| Current Number | Approximately 731 KVKs functioning across India in 2025 |
National Agricultural Research System (NARS):
The KVKs are an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS), serving as the decentralized component for technology application.
The NARS operates at three main levels:
- National Level: Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
- State Level: State Agricultural Universities (SAUs)
- District Level: Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)
KVKs fall under the jurisdiction of one of the 11 Agricultural Technology Application Research Institutes (ATARIs) across India for monitoring and coordination.
Source: PIB
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