Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Nashik
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) New Delhi established the Krishi Vigyan Kendra at Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University Nashik in 1994. It is an innovative farm science institution providing training and information services to the farmers and agribusiness managers. The KVK acts as a vocational training centre to work at the grass root level for imparting need-based training and skills in the field of agriculture and rural development. Besides, the Krishi Vigyan Kendra has also established a Model Farm to disseminate and demonstrate the agro techniques suitable to the local farming community in the district for sustainable development. This model farm, equipped with modern irrigation system, has important horticultural crops like Mango, Grapes, Sapota, Guava, Amla, Cashewnut, Litchi, Coconut, Custard apple and Jackfruit developed to cater to the need of farmers in the district.
The KVK has an Administrative building measuring 600 sq. m. with facilities for Soil & Water testing, Phyto diagnostic, Post Harvest Technology Laboratory and an Agricultural Technology Information Centre. Hostel facilities that can accommodate about 30 farmers are also available in the KVK premises.A novel experiment has also been undertaken with high density plantation, multi-stored cropping and high tech floriculture, use of biotech techniques for pest management, vermiculture biotechnology and modern nursery with various shed net houses to meet the training need of farmers and in order to supply the required planting material to them. The fruit orchard and polyhouses of the KVK yield considerable commercial production. Last year, 7500 kg of Kesar mango was exported through an agency to Japan.
An adopted village concept to demonstrate various farming technologies has also been successfully implemented through a participatory group approach. This has led to increased productivity and overall output of the village and has made a concrete difference to the standard of living of the villagers.
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