Golden jubilee celebration of KVKs at KVK, Wyra from 04.05.204 to 06.05.2024

KVK, Wyra celebrated the Golden Jubilee of KVKs on 06.05.2024 to commemorate the establishment of Krishi Vigyan Kendras by the ICAR Standing Committee on Agricultural Education. In the meeting held in August, 1973, the committee observed that the establishment of KVKs was of national importance as it would help in accelerating the agricultural production and improve the socio-economic conditions of the farming community. Sri. Mohan Singh Mehta was appointed by ICAR in 1973 and he proposed the idea of establishment of Farm Science Centre from which Krishi Vigyan Kendra was developed. The first KVK, on a pilot basis was established on 21.03.1974 at Pondicherry under the administrative control of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Today the number has risen to 731 spreading across the country in the service of farming community. The mandate of KVKs is technology assessment and demonstration for its application and capacity development. KVKs have been instrumental in Lab to Land transfer of technologies for the benefit of agricultural sector. The 21st century brought in drastic climate change causing erratic rainfall and soil erosion challenging the very crux of agriculture along with non remunerativeness of agriculture produce leading to youth not being interested in agriculture and farming. farmers are leaving agriculture and youths not interested in it, KVKs have also to redefine their strategies and double their efforts for the welfare of the farming communities. At the grassroots level, apart from promoting the farming, KVKs are being instrumental in developing SHGs and FPOs. Over the years, the KVKs have emerged as grass root level institutions on whom the farming community rely without any second thought. They symbolize growth which is based on the pillars of inclusion, sustainability, profitability and empowerment. As part of 50 glorious years of KVKs, at KVK, Wyra a large scale meeting was organised with participation of Dr. I. Swarnalatha Devi, ADE, PJTSAU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Dr. J. Hemantha Kumar, Associate Dean, Agricultural College, Aswaraopet, Mrs. M. Vijaya Nirmala, DAO, Khammam, Dr. B. Venu Manohar, JD A&H, Mr. T. Ranapratap, REAC member, PJTSAU, Dr. K. Ravi Kumar, Programme Coordinator (FAC), Scientists of Dr. Jessie Suneetha W and Mrs. P. S. M. Phanisri of KVK, Wyra along with farmers, farm women, DEASI students and IV BSc (Agriculture) RAWEP students of Agricultural College, Aswaraopet. The participants were sensitized on the various activities taken up by KVK, Wyra since its inception in 2004 and with feedback from farmers and farmer women in their empowerment. Farmer – scientist interaction was organised to clarify the queries related to pre – kharif activities like green manuring, soil testing and best suited paddy varieties to the Khammam district. All the staff and KVK's contact farmers were presented with shields as a token of appreciation. Dr Lakshmi Narayanamma, Programme Coordinator KVK, Kothagudem was handed over the torch from KVK, Wyra.