Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday reviewed an action plan to strengthen Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) through greater participation of state governments, with a focus on upgrading 300 centres by March 2027 and establishing incubation-cum-skill centres at all KVKs by December 2028.
The meeting, held in New Delhi, reviewed the implementation of recommendations concerning KVKs made during the 5th Chief Secretaries’ Conference 2025. Union Minister of State for Agriculture Bhagirath Choudhary, Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education and ICAR Director General Mangi Lal Jat, and senior ministry officials attended the meeting.
Chouhan stressed the need for active state participation and timely financial and institutional support to complete the upgradation of 300 prioritised KVKs by March 2027.
The DARE Secretary has engaged with the chief secretaries of states and Union Territories to mobilise support for the initiative. Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and Chhattisgarh have received detailed project reports from universities and KVKs, while other states are at different stages of preparing and implementing their plans.
Incubation and skill centres at all KVKs
The meeting also reviewed plans to establish Incubation-cum-Skill Centres in all KVKs by December 2028.
Under the initiative, KVKs are being mapped with agro-based enterprises, technical partner institutions and district-specific agricultural opportunities. KVK-wise incubation plans are being prepared for submission to states and Union Territories for funding and implementation support.
The meeting also discussed reforms related to KVK personnel. Proposed changes concerning pay, allowances and promotions of KVK staff have received approval from the Department of Expenditure.
The role of state governments in providing NPS contributions and retirement benefits, wherever applicable, was also highlighted. States were urged to fill vacancies in KVKs on time to ensure adequate manpower for their activities.
Focus on timely funding and farm demonstrations
Chouhan also stressed the need for timely release of funds to KVKs, particularly for seasonal agricultural programmes, so that field activities are completed within the appropriate agricultural window.
Under the Cluster Frontline Demonstrations (CFLD) programme on pulses and oilseeds for 2026-27, activities are being carried out across 24 states through 353 KVKs and districts, covering a target area of 12,349 hectares. So far, demonstrations have been conducted over 9,750 hectares.
The meeting reviewed issues related to fund-flow mapping and delays in releasing funds in some states. States were asked to ensure timely transfer of funds to Agricultural Technology Application Research Institutes (ATARIs) and KVKs, besides ensuring the availability of quality seeds and recommended varieties.
KVKs to support PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana
The role of KVKs in implementing the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PM DDKY) was also discussed.
States were asked to provide adequate financial support to KVKs for their mandated activities as well as district-specific action plans under the scheme.
The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare also emphasised that district-level activities undertaken by KVKs, including capacity-building programmes, should be uploaded on the designated portal to facilitate monitoring, reporting and assessment of outcomes.
Chouhan said the transformation of KVKs would require strong Centre-State convergence, timely funding, modern infrastructure, adequate manpower and effective district-specific planning.
He stressed that KVKs must be equipped to provide farmers and rural communities with scientific knowledge, modern agricultural technologies, improved crop varieties, skills, innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities.
The Ministry said that strengthened KVKs will serve as key platforms for agricultural technology dissemination, skill development, innovation and rural entrepreneurship, thereby helping improve farm productivity and contribute to a more developed and prosperous agricultural sector.
