Parliament Question: Functioning of Krishi Vigyan Kendras

OIH GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2758 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04TH AUGUST, 2026 FUNCTIONING OF KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRAS 2758. SHRI MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृषि और ककसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state: (a) whether the functioning of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) is being monitored/reviewed in the country; (b) if so, the State-wise details thereof along with the outcomes recorded during the last three years; (c) the names of the centres where irregularities have been identified; and (d) the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृषि और ककसान कल्याण राज्य मंत्री (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY) (a) & (b): Yes. The functioning of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in the country is monitored/reviewed regularly. There is a strong mechanism for monitoring and review of KVKs to make them vibrant and effective institution of technology transfer at district level. Monitoring and review of KVKs are done regularly at National, Zonal, State and District level by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR); Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute; Agricultural Universities and Scientific Advisory Committee of each KVK, respectively. The performance and working of KVKs is also reviewed periodically by Quinquennial Review Team (QRT) and Third Party. The latest performance evaluation of KVKs was carried by NITI Aayog in the year 2025- 26. The report advocates the KVK network as the country’s largest and most decentralized public agricultural extension system. The KVKs have a strong institutional framework with clear mandates, having district-level presence and thus highly effective in addressing farmers’ technological needs. About 91% of farmers adopted new practices or technologies promoted by 1KVKs, indicating that KVK trainings and advisories encourage successful adoption. KVKs provide trusted and scientifically sound advisories on crop management, pest and disease control, input selection, and climatic risk management through technology validation, dissemination, and transfer. Their close collaboration with state agriculture departments and allied agencies strengthens extension services through demonstrations, training, and capacity- building initiatives. Additionally, farmers widely trust KVK advisories and quality seeds and planting materials, resulting in greater adoption of improved agricultural practices and enhanced crop performance. Followings are some major outcomes of the efforts of KVKs during last three years: • Conducted 9.67 lakh Frontline Demonstrations (FLDs) on farmers' fields to showcase the production potential of improved farm technologies and promote their adoption by farmers. • Trained 62.35 lakh farmers including rural youth and 5.06 lakh extension personnel for updating their knowledge and skill. Created awareness on improved agricultural technology among 826.61 lakh farmers and other stakeholders through a large number of extension programs. • For catalyzing technology adoption through critical resources, KVKs produced 5.95 lakh quintal quality seeds of improved varieties of various field crops and 1518.90 lakh planting materials of different horticultural crops. • The significant reduction in fire incidents, especially in Punjab and Haryana (both by 95% between 2020 and 2025), underscores the success of awareness, technological interventions, and policy convergence facilitated by KVKs under Crop Residue Management initiative. (c) & (d): The financial & administrative irregularities have been identified in five KVKs established in the districts viz Sehore, Vidisha, Auriya, Guntur and Thanjavur during the last five years. The remedial action has been taken and KVKs in these districts have been withdrawn from the concerned Host Organisations. ***** 2