Annual Action Plan Workshop of Gujarat KVKs organized
18th February, 2021, Pune
The ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Pune, Maharashtra and Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Maharashtra jointly organized the “State Level Virtual Annual Action Plan Workshop of 30 KVKs of Gujarat” today.
In his inaugural address, Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension), ICAR regarded the Farmers’ Producers’ Organizations (FPOs) as the smaller version of cooperative societies. He urged the KVK to work as Cluster Based Business Organization (CBBO) for Farmers’ Producers’ Organizations. Dr. Singh stressed on using handheld devices for soil testing and looking into the experiment system. He also emphasized on giving more thrust on oilseeds and pulses, bio-fortified varieties, nutri-gardens, quality nursery, soil health and organic farming. The DDG stated that the Bio-Kisan Hubs may be developed involving 2 to 3 KVKs.
Dr. V.P. Chahal, ADG (Agricultural Extension), ICAR emphasized that the KVKs should be visionary in developing the Work Plan. He stressed on building-up the convergence with different agencies to obtain technological and financial support.
Dr. Z.P. Patel, Vice-Chancellor, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Maharashtra urged the KVKs for creating the marketing of organic products of farmers for higher profits. He suggested the KVKs to link the culture, taboos and festivals with farming practices to percolate in the tribal villages.
Dr. V.P. Chovatia, Vice-Chancellor, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, Gujarat emphasized on post-harvest processing, value-addition, food safety standards and market intelligence to have a better export market.
Dr. R.M. Chauhan, Vice-Chancellor, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Gujarat accentuated on promoting the hi-tech models for enhancing the farmers’ income.
Dr. Lakhan Singh, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Pune, Maharashtra urged the KVKs experts to be vigilant to predict and follow alternate strategies amidst the coming up of various new diseases / pests in fruits and vegetables due to climate change.
A total of 75 participants virtually attended the workshop.
(Source: ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Pune, Maharashtra)
