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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 356
TO BE ANSWERED ON 17TH MARCH, 2026
KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRAS IN TAMIL NADU
*356. SHRI MALAIYARASAN D:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृषि और ककसान
कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:
(a) the current number of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) operational within Tamil Nadu
and the total number of KVKs planned to be established in the next five years;
(b) the details of steps taken by the Government to strengthen the existing KVKs and
improve their capacity to provide advanced agricultural knowledge, technology and
extension services to farmers;
(c) whether the Government has identified any challenges or shortcomings in the
current functioning of KVKs and if so, the measures being taken to address them;
(d) the funds allocated and utilized for the strengthening and expansion of KVKs
during the last three years within Tamil Nadu;
(e) the manner in which the Government plans to integrate modern technologies such
as digital tools, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics in the operations of KVKs to
improve extension services for farmers; and
(f) the impact of the KVKs on agricultural productivity, farmer income and promotion
of sustainable farming practices in Tamil Nadu?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृषि और ककसान कल्याण मंत्री (SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN)
(a) to (f): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
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1STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) to (f) OF LOK SABHA STARRED
QUESTION NO. 356 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17TH MARCH, 2026 REGARDING
“KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRAS IN TAMIL NADU”
(a): There are 31 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) currently operational within Tamil
Nadu. Five newly created districts namely Kanchipuram, Mayiladuthurai, Ranipet,
Tirunelveli and Tirupathur of Tamil Nadu are not having KVK. Opening of KVK in newly
created district is a continuous process as per the prescribed procedure and guidelines.
(b): Strengthening and upgrading the physical infrastructure of KVKs is a priority and
consistent process. Several steps have been taken for upgradation of infrastructure and
capacity building of KVKs in Tamil Nadu. During 2021-26 plan period, the KVKs of Tamil
Nadu have been strengthened with two administrative buildings, two farmers’ hostels,
twenty demonstration units and thirty farm machineries/implements/vehicles. Further, 61
training programmes were organized to update the knowledge and skills of Subject
Matter Specialists of KVKs on the latest agricultural technologies during the same period.
The major areas covered during these training programmes were digital agriculture,
natural/organic farming, plant protection and pest management, horticulture and
precision farming, soil health, climate change and resilience, livestock and poultry
technologies, post-harvest technology, value addition and processing, etc.
(c): As per the KVK scheme of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), KVKs
have been opened under the administrative control of the different Host Organizations
viz State Government, Central Agricultural Universities, State Agricultural Universities,
Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), Non- Government Organizations (NGOs) and ICAR.
Vacant positions in KVKs and frequent transfers of KVK staff are the major challenges in
the current functioning of KVKs. Filling up of the vacancies in KVKs and transfer of KVK
staff are the responsibility of the concerned Host Organization and ICAR regularly follows
up with them.
(d): An amount of Rs.1376.07 lakh was allocated and utilized for the strengthening and
expansion of KVKs during last three years within Tamil Nadu.
(e): KVKs are implementing ICT based Kisan Sarathi portal, for interface between
farmers and the scientists to provide a seamless, multimedia, multi-ways connectivity to
the farmers for knowledge dissemination. Big data analytics is used in analyzing the
feedback recorded through Landscape Diagnostic survey from large number of farmers
to provide feedback to the research system and development departments for problem
solution and policy input. Training on landscape diagnostic survey is provided to the
subject matter experts of KVKs.
2(f): Such impact study has not been undertaken. However, there is a strong
mechanism for monitoring and review of KVKs including those of Tamil Nadu to make
vibrant and effective institution of technology transfer at district level. Monitoring and
review of KVKs are done regularly at National, Zonal, University 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 Evaluation.
The latest review performance of KVKs of Tamil Nadu was carried by QRT in the
year 2020. Key findings of the evaluation are summarized below. Each KVK in Tamil
Nadu has contributed significantly to technology assessment, frontline demonstrations,
and capacity building in its respective district. Most of the KVKs have around 88 percent
staff in position and maintained 16-23 ha of instructional farm producing 15001.59
quintals quality seed of different field crops and 1.55 crore planting materials of
horticultural crops, enabling diverse extension activities. Major focus of KVKs for
dissemination had been high-impact crop varieties (Paddy: CO-R-50, CO 51; Black gram:
VBN-6, VBN-8; Finger millet: ML-365, etc.), integrated crop and nutrient management
practices, farm mechanization, and livestock-based technologies.
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