The annual zonal workshop of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) of ICAR–ATARI, Zone-I for 2024–25 commenced today at the Baba Jitto Auditorium, SKUAST-Jammu, Chatha. The three-day event, running from December 22–24, brings together agricultural research and extension stakeholders from northern India to review performance, share best practices, and plan strategies to strengthen farmer-centric extension services.

The workshop was inaugurated by Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Departments, Javid Ahmad Dar, in the presence of Dr. Rajbir Singh, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension), ICAR, New Delhi; Vice-Chancellor Prof. B. N. Tripathi, SKUAST-Jammu; Dr. Parvender Sheoran, Director ICAR-ATARI, Ludhiana; and other university officials.
Dr. Amrish Vaid, Director Extension, highlighted KVKs as frontline extension institutions and emphasized collaboration between research, extension, and development departments for effective technology dissemination. Minister Dar lauded KVKs’ role in transforming grassroots agriculture and stressed strengthening farmer-centric services, promoting diversification, value addition, agri-entrepreneurship, and climate-resilient practices.
Dr. Rajbir Singh underscored the evolving role of KVKs in climate-resilient agriculture, digital extension, skill development, and outcome-oriented approaches. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Tripathi highlighted SKUAST-Jammu’s research–extension linkages, MoU collaborations, growing IPR portfolio, and participation in flagship programs like HADP and JKCIP, focusing on agri-niche crops, horticulture, startups, and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).
Dr. Parvender Sheoran noted that ICAR-ATARI, Ludhiana supports 72 KVKs across Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh. Dr. S. K. Gupta emphasized integrating research with farmer feedback to enhance technology adoption. During the inauguration, seven publications were released and five FPOs/entrepreneurs were felicitated for their contributions to agricultural development.
The workshop will focus on reviewing KVK performance, approving action plans for 2026, and developing region-specific strategies to improve agricultural extension and farmer livelihoods.