Kisan Sarathi

• 17 Jul 2021

Why in News

Recently, the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) celebrated its 93^rd foundation day and on the occasion, the Kisan Sarthi platform was launched.

Indian Council of Agriculture Research

• It is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
• It was established in July 1929 and was formerly known as the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research.
• It is headquartered at New Delhi.
• It is the apex body for coordinating, guiding and managing research and education in agriculture including horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences in the entire country.

Key Points

• About:
  
  • It was jointly launched by the Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare and the Union Minister of Electronics & Information Technology.
  • It is a digital platform to facilitate farmers to get ‘right information at right time’ in their desired language.
  • It will help farmers to interact and avail personalised advisories on agriculture and allied areas directly from the respective scientists of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVKs).
    
    • Farmers can also learn new farming methods using it.
• Krishi Vigyan Kendra:
  
  • It is an agricultural extension center in India. Usually associated with a local agricultural university, these centers serve as the ultimate link between the ICAR and farmers, and aim to apply agricultural research in a practical, localized setting.
  • It is an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS).
    
    • The first KVK was established in 1974 at Puducherry.
  • The mandate of KVK is technology assessment and demonstration for its application and capacity development.
  • KVKs also produce quality technological products (seed, planting material, bio-agents, livestock) and make it available to farmers.
  • The KVK scheme is 100% financed by the Government of India and the KVKs are sanctioned to Agricultural Universities, ICAR institutes, related Government Departments and Non Government Organizations (NGOs) working in Agriculture.
  • KVKs act as a bridge between the laboratories and farmland. According to the Government, these are crucial to fulfilling the target of doubling farmers’ income by 2022.

• Other Related Initiatives:
  
  • Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana
  • Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)
  • Soil health card
  • Prampragat Krishi Vikas Yojana
  • Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
  • PM Kisan Sampada Yojana
  • National Agriculture Market (eNAM)

Source: PIB