Krishi Vigyan Kendra – a Farm Science Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods

Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) is the only institution at the district level in India for technological backstopping in agriculture and allied sectors. It is envisaged to reduce the time lag between generation of technology at the research institutions and its application to the location specific farmer fields for increasing production, productivity and net farm income on a sustained basis. ICAR - Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bengaluru Rural District (ICAR KVK-BRD), Karnataka, India is serving the farming community of the district through identification of location specific problems and resolving them by conducting on farm testings (OFT), frontline demonstrations (FLD) and need based trainings. Feedback to the research system about field problems, production and supply of quality seeds and planting material and serving as an expert center in the district are the other key roles performed by this KVK.

The efforts of KVK mandated activities have resulted in over 30% adoption of improved technologies, with 20% increase in crop production and quality. This has led to 35% higher income and improved economic status of the farmers. External funding of Rs. 33.00 million was mobilized through effective linkage with developmental departments. About 60,000 farmers were sensitized on advanced technologies through 2,300 outreach programmes. KVK has motivated 80 rural youth for self employment through vocational trainings who are now recognized as master trainers in farmer led extension. Impact studies revealed landslide change in livelihood security and socio-economic status by adopting Integrated Farming System Demonstration (IFSD) model. Effective market linkage was assured through empowering 11 Commodity Based Associations and 49 Self Help Groups in value addition, branding and marketing of food products.

The team of ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bengaluru Rural District has bagged the ‘Zonal Best Krishi Vigyan Kendra Award-2012’ and ‘National Best Krishi Vigyan Kendra Award-2014’ for its outstanding achievements. Fourteen awards were received by KVK staff for extension outreach activities. This KVK is recognized as a center of scientific agricultural resources for the farmers and extension personnel of the district.