Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK): Catalysts of Agricultural Innovation and Rural Empowerment

• Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), located in South-West Delhi, is a pioneering agricultural extension centre established in 1995. 
• It operates under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. 
• The KVK is managed by the National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation (NHRDF), New Delhi.
• Its primary goal is the effective transfer of agricultural technologies to both male and female farmers in the rural regions of Delhi, promoting inclusive agricultural development and sustainable livelihoods.

Core Objectives

• Bridging the gap between agricultural research and field-level application.
• Ensuring technological and economic empowerment of farm women through participatory approaches.
• Promoting location-specific, need-based training and capacity building among the farming community.
• Encouraging horticulture-based income generation activities, particularly in Peri-urban areas.

Key Functions and Programs

• Technology Assessment and Refinement : On-farm trials (OFTs) to assess the viability of new techniques in real-world farming conditions.
• Frontline Demonstrations (FLDs): Showcasing high-yielding varieties and improved technologies in crops, livestock, and horticulture.

Vocational Training

• Short and long-term skill development training for rural youth and farm women in:
• Organic farming
• Protected cultivation
• Nursery raising
• Mushroom production
• Dairy and poultry management

Farm Women Empowerment Programs

• Tailored training in food processing, kitchen gardening, vermicomposting, and value addition.
• Promotion of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and entrepreneurship among women.

Advisory and Extension Services

• Field visits, farmer-scientist interactions, awareness campaigns, and agri-clinics.
• ICT-based advisories (SMS, mobile apps, calls).

Notable Achievements

• Introduced protected cultivation of vegetables in Peri-urban areas.
• Successful promotion of horticultural diversification to increase farm incomes.
• Promoted resource-efficient farming practices like drip irrigation and organic manures.
• Engaged in seed production and dissemination of quality planting material.

Urban-Peri-Urban Agriculture: A Focus Area

• Given its location in Delhi, KVK Ujwa plays a critical role in:
• Promoting Peri-urban agriculture models (e.g., rooftop farming, hydroponics).
• Managing urban-rural agricultural dynamics, including land use optimization.
• Addressing challenges of limited space, pollution, and urban waste management in farming.

Gender Empowerment through Agriculture

• KVK Ujwa emphasizes:
• Mainstreaming women farmers into agri-value chains.
• Conducting gender-sensitive training modules.
• Fostering leadership and entrepreneurship among rural women.

Collaboration and Outreach

• KVK Ujwa collaborates with:
• Delhi State Agriculture Department
• ICAR research institutes
• Agricultural universities
• NGOs and SHGs
• Local schools and community centres