Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Oct 22: Unlike Kashmir, the four newly sanctioned Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in Jammu division have not yet become functional owing to unprecedented delay in getting possession of the land for setting up the campuses even after the lapse of more than five years.
The State Government, which has to provide the site only for setting up these Centrally funded KVKs under the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Science and Technology (SKUAST) Jammu, failed to transfer the land for the reasons best known to the Department of Revenue and other concerned agencies.
The resultant effect of the delay in setting up of new KVKs is deprivation to the farmers from getting awareness and technical assistance about the agriculture related new researches for more yield and quality growth while on the other hand, the newly sanctioned KVKs in Kashmir valley are functioning besides getting possession of land for the campuses.
Acting as the link between Agriculture and all allied departments with the research done in these fields, the Krishi Vigyan Kendras are meant for site specific technology testing, demonstration of new seed varieties, scientific extension programmes and training to farmers for augmenting their socio economic condition.
Under SKUAST Jammu, presently there are six KVKs, one each at Jammu, Kathua, Reasi, Doda, Rajouri and Poonch districts. Similarly six KVS were functioning in each district of Kashmir valley.
Soon after creation of new districts in the State, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) sanctioned four more KVKs for Jammu as well as Kashmir province.
While the new KVKs in Kashmir division have started functioning, the remaining four in Jammu division are awaiting to get the Government land for setting up campuses in Samba, Ramban, Ramnagar and Kishtwar.
As the KVK Project for Kishtwar has been taken over by the Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture, the fate of remaining three Kendras hangs in balance owing to unprecedented delay in transfer of land to SKUAST Jammu for setting up campuses notwithstanding the fact that the State Revenue Minister comes from Jammu.
According to the official sources, the Revenue authorities and local district administration has failed to provide SKUAST- Jammu possession of the land identified for KVK at Samba as a big portion of the same has been encroached upon by some private parties. Similarly, location of the land identified in Ramnagar was not suitable while some locals have approached the court filing objections over the State land being considered for KVK Ramban, sources added.
While a top level team of ICAR is visiting Ramnagar for the site visit next month and an alternative land is being identified at Banihal for Ramban KVK, there is no progress to get the land in Samba evicted from the encroachers, official sources informed.
The unprecedented delay in getting possession of the land for setting up KVK is not only resulting into loss to farmers but also denying job opportunities to the educated unemployed youth.
Each KVK, will be hundred percent funded by the ICAR and create positions of 7 Scientific Officers and 9 Non-Scientific employees.
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