Govt to soon start integrated farming on 100 KVKs

The Centre will soon start integrated farming on 100 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), known as farm-science centres, spread across the country, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said today.
There are total 645 KVKs in rural districts across India, which have a mandate to assess agri-technology and demonstrate to farmers application and capacity development. Each KVK has direct interface with at least 1,000 farmers.
"The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is going to initiate integrated farming on 100 KVKs very shortly. The farmers living in the district after having observed them can adopt to increase their income," Singh said in a video conference with KVK officials of 12 southern states and UTs.

Noting that KVKs play very important role to enhance the income of the farmers and promote agriculture, the Minister appealed KVKs and state level agriculture officials that they should work closely with farmers to boost farm income.
He informed KVK officials that farmers need quality seeds planting materials as well as fertilisers to increase the productivity of their crops. "Therefore, the officers must help them through and through," an official statement said.
Singh also asked KVK officials to encourage farmers to take up fisheries so as to double their income.
The government has reconstituted 645 KVKs and is planning to open 106 more, he added.