Centre pushes Centre-State collaboration to modernise farm science centres with better infrastructure, staff reforms and entrepreneurship hubs for farmers nationwide.

Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday reviewed an ambitious action plan to strengthen India’s network of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs). The meeting in New Delhi focused on recommendations from the 5th Chief Secretaries’ Conference 2025 and set clear deadlines: upgrade infrastructure and logistics of 300 priority KVKs by March 2027, and establish Incubation-cum-Skill Centres in every KVK by December 2028.

Union Minister of State Bhagirath Choudhary, DARE Secretary and ICAR Director General Dr Mangi Lal Jat, and senior ministry officials attended. Chouhan stressed that stronger KVKs demand active State participation, timely funding, modern infrastructure and adequate manpower so that scientific knowledge, improved varieties, skills and entrepreneurship reach farmers faster.

Priority Upgrades for 300 KVKs

The core target is upgrading the infrastructure and logistics of 300 prioritised KVKs by March 2027. DARE has already engaged chief secretaries of states and union territories to mobilise financial and institutional support. Several States have started work through their state agricultural universities. Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and Chhattisgarh have received Detailed Project Reports from universities and KVKs, while others are at various stages of preparation and implementation.

KVKs function as district-level farm science centres under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). India currently has around 731 such centres covering most rural districts. They conduct frontline demonstrations, train farmers, produce quality seed and planting material, and act as knowledge hubs that bridge research institutions and the field. Upgrading logistics and physical facilities is expected to improve the quality and reach of these services.

Incubation-cum-Skill Centres Across the Network

A second major goal is the creation of Incubation-cum-Skill Centres in all KVKs by December 2028. Under this initiative, each KVK is being mapped with agro-based enterprises, technical partner institutions and district-specific agricultural opportunities. Individual incubation plans are under preparation for submission to states and UTs for funding and implementation support.

These centres are intended to turn KVKs into platforms for rural entrepreneurship. Farmers, rural youth and women’s groups will gain access to skill training, technology incubation, business planning support and linkages to markets and finance. The move aligns with the broader push to raise farm incomes through value addition, processing and agri-startups rather than production alone.

Staff Reforms and Manpower Strengthening

The meeting also reviewed long-pending reforms for KVK personnel. Proposals relating to pay, allowances and promotions have received approval from the Department of Expenditure. States have been urged to provide National Pension System (NPS) contributions and retirement benefits where applicable, and to fill vacancies through timely recruitment. Adequate and motivated staff is seen as essential for KVKs to deliver their mandated activities effectively.

Without sufficient human resources, even upgraded buildings and equipment will fall short. Officials noted that vacancies and delayed promotions have constrained performance in some centres. The approved reforms and state-level recruitment drives aim to address this gap.

Timely Funds and Seasonal Programmes

Special attention was paid to the timely release of funds, particularly for seasonal agricultural programmes. Under the Cluster Frontline Demonstrations (CFLD) on pulses and oilseeds for 2026-27, activities are under way across 24 States through 353 KVKs and districts, targeting 12,349 hectares. So far, 9,750 hectares have been covered. States were asked to ensure smooth fund flow up to the Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI) and KVK levels, arrange quality seeds of recommended varieties on time, and strengthen coordination during planning and execution.

Delays in fund release have repeatedly disrupted demonstrations that must coincide with specific cropping windows. Smoother financial systems will help maintain the momentum of these large-scale technology transfer efforts.

Role in Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana

KVKs will play a key supporting role in the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PM DDKY). States have been requested to provide adequate funding so that KVKs can implement both their regular mandated activities and district-specific action plans under the scheme. All activities and outcomes, including capacity-building programmes, must be uploaded on the designated portal for monitoring, reporting and assessment.

This integration is expected to improve last-mile delivery of scheme benefits and generate real-time data for course correction. Chouhan underlined that centre-state convergence remains the decisive factor. Modern infrastructure, skilled manpower and district-level action plans must move together if KVKs are to respond effectively to emerging challenges such as climate variability, market fluctuations and the need for higher productivity with sustainability.

Broader Vision for Farm Extension

Strengthened KVKs are positioned as the backbone of India’s agricultural extension system. They already generate significant returns: studies have shown high cost-benefit ratios and a strong multiplier effect, with one trained farmer often passing knowledge to dozens of others. Expanding their infrastructure, entrepreneurship facilities and human resources is expected to accelerate the spread of improved varieties, climate-resilient practices, precision tools and value-chain skills.

The targets set at the September 2026 review meeting mark a concrete timeline for transforming these centres from traditional demonstration units into dynamic hubs of technology, skill and enterprise. Success will depend on states accelerating DPR finalisation, releasing funds promptly, filling staff positions and treating the incubation centres as shared priorities rather than optional add-ons.

According to ICAR, if the 300 priority upgrades are completed by March 2027 and incubation facilities roll out across the full network by end-2028, farmers in every district will gain closer access to scientific support, practical training and pathways to agri-business. The government has made clear that the transformation of KVKs is no longer a distant aspiration but a time-bound national programme requiring coordinated action by the centre, states, agricultural universities and the farming community itself.