This document summarizes Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2697, addressed to the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on August 5, 2025, concerning Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
The UT of Ladakh has proposed transferring the administrative control of four KVKs (Leh I, Leh II Nyoma, Kargil I, and Kargil II) from Shere Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) to the University of Ladakh. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has discussed this proposal with relevant stakeholders, including the University of Ladakh, SKUAST-K, and the UT Administration. The transfer is contingent upon the UT Administration completing formalities related to land transfer and employee service conditions.
The University of Ladakh has established a School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology at its Leh and Kargil campuses, offering agricultural education programs (B.Sc., Ph.D., Basic Agricultural Training, and Basic Horticulture Training) to provide technical support to the KVKs.
Several technical and non-technical posts are vacant in the aforementioned KVKs: Senior Scientist Cum Head (2), SMS (16), Technical (9), and Administrative (5). While ICAR oversees the KVK scheme, filling these vacancies is the responsibility of the respective Host Organization. ICAR is actively following up on the matter.
Key Entities Referenced
Krishi Vigyan Kendras: A network of agricultural extension centers in India, abbreviated as KVKs.
Ladakh: A union territory in the northern part of India.
Shere Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology: An agricultural university, abbreviated as SKUAST, specifically SKUAST-Kashmir (SKUASTK).
University of Ladakh: A university located in Ladakh.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research: An autonomous organisation responsible for co-ordinating agricultural education and research in India, abbreviated as ICAR.
Leh, Ladakh: A district and its headquarter town in Ladakh.
Kargil, Ladakh: A district and its headquarter town in Ladakh.
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: A ministry in the Government of India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2697
TO BE ANSWERED ON 5TH AUGUST, 2025
KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRAS
2697. SHRI MOHMAD HANEEFA:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृषि और ककसान
कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:
(a) whether UT of Ladakh has proposed to transfer the affiliation of four units of Krishi
Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) functioning in Ladakh which are currently affiliated to Sher-e-
Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) to the University of
Ladakh, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government is aware that such decision would hamper the technical
capabilities of the said KVKs as the University of Ladakh is a non-technical academic
institution, if so, the details thereof;
(c) the details of the Government's reaction thereto and the current status of the said
proposal;
(d) whether several technical and non-technical posts are lying vacant in the said KVKs,
if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government to fill up those vacancies on an urgent basis?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृषि और ककसान कल्याण राज्य मंत्री (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY)
(a): The administration of Union Territory of Ladakh has proposed to take over the
administrative control of four Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) [ i.e. Leh-I (Leh), Leh-II (Nyoma),
Kargil- I (Kargil) and Kargil –II] which fall in the geographical territory of Ladakh region, from
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-
K). The proposal has been discussed by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) with
University of Ladakh, SKUAST-K, Union Territory (UT) Administration and other
Stakeholders. Certain formalities for transfer of KVKs from SKUAST-K to University of
Ladakh, such as land transfer, service conditions of employees etc. need to be completed
by the UT Administration to facilitate further decision on the matter.
1(b) & (c): The University of Ladakh (UoL) has started the School of Agricultural Sciences
and Technology at two campuses, located in Leh and Kargil with agricultural education
programme viz., B.Sc., Ph.D., Basic Agricultural Training, and Basic Horticulture Training.
These educational institutes will provide the technical backstopping to the KVKs in
coordinating the agricultural extension activities.
(d): Yes, Details of Vacancy is as under:
Name of post No. of Vacancy
Sr. Scientist Cum- Head 2
SMS 16
Technical 9
Administrative 5
(e): As per the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) scheme of Indian Council of Agricultural
Research (ICAR), KVKs are 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 Organisations (NGOs)
and ICAR. Filling up of the vacancies in KVKs is the responsibility of the concerned Host
Organization and ICAR regularly follows up with them.
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