The Krishi Gyan Vahan initiative has significantly enhanced the extension services available in the State, with the potential to boost agricultural productivity in Bihar. By providing farmers with direct access to modern farming techniques and expert guidance, it is set to create meaningful impact.
The Krishi Gyan Vahan (Farmer Knowledge Vehicle) initiative was launched in Bihar, India, to tackle the challenge of limited access to agricultural technologies for the most remote farmers. This initiative aims to bridge the knowledge gap by delivering expert advice and the latest agricultural techniques directly to farmers’ doorsteps. Utilizing a mobile vehicle equipped with educational tool (a multimedia digital screen showcasing agricultural technologies developed by the university), the program seeks to overcome logistical barriers. It ensures that even farmers in the most isolated areas could benefit from the technologies of the university.
Objectives
The major objectives of the programme are:
- Share the latest farming information and new technologies from the University with farmers.
- Offer necessary facilities and resources to improve agricultural practices such as soil testing services, crop disease diagnostics, animal husbandry related issues, and more.
- Increase awareness of farming techniques that work well in the region across different districts.
The Krishi Gyan Vahan
The Krishi Gyan Vahan (KGV) offers a comprehensive range of services to farmers which is summarized in Box 1. The Krishi Gyan Vahan is equipped with a range of tools and materials to support agricultural extension activities. It includes a Testing Kit for detecting nutrient deficiencies and adjusting fertilizer plans, and a Digital Stereo Microscope for pest identification, plant disease diagnosis, seed quality assessment, and soil analysis. The Digital Compound Microscope supports scientific studies, disease diagnosis, seed reproduction and the study of chemicals and species for agricultural control. A Refrigerator is available to store and preserve various materials, while a BOD Incubator aids in microbiological studies and vaccination programs. An Electronic Balance ensures precise measurement of specimens. Public announcements are facilitated by a system with a wireless mic and a speaker with an amplifier. The Foldable Travis is used in cattle Artificial Insemination (AI) processes, and the Haemato-analyzer offers complete blood counts and diagnoses anemia and infections. The Multi-Parameter Monitor supports real-time monitoring and critical care. Internet connectivity and a computer provides essential access to information and interactive resources for farmers.
Box 1: Features and Services
|
Good extension practice |
Description |
Benefits |
|
Mobile Extension Services |
Kisan Gyan Vahan provides mobile extension services to farmers, bringing expert advice directly to their villages. |
Farmers in remote areas get direct access to modern agricultural knowledge and technologies. |
|
Soil Testing Services |
On-the-spot soil analysis to determine soil health and nutrient requirements. |
Farmers receive instant fertilizer recommendations, leading to optimized soil health and better crop yields. |
|
Crop-Specific Recommendations |
Tailored advice provided for issues related to specific crops like grains and horticulture. |
Helps improve crop management and reduce losses from diseases and pests. |
|
Animal Health Services |
Diagnostic services for animal health problems, including disease identification. |
Quick diagnosis and treatment help reduce livestock losses and improve farm productivity. |
|
Demonstrations of Modern Techniques |
Videos on modern farming methods are shown to farmers via an LED screen. |
Farmers can easily understand and adopt new techniques, increasing productivity. |
|
Distribution of Agricultural Inputs |
Distribution of seeds, organic manure, bio-fertilizers, and other materials to farmers. |
Farmers get access to essential inputs, allowing immediate application of improved practices. |
|
Two-Way Dialogue and Feedback |
Farmers are encouraged to ask questions and share experiences with extension experts. |
Creates a responsive extension service that adapts to farmers’ specific needs, improving advice relevance. |
|
Use of Advanced Diagnostics Technology |
Advanced tools like microscopes and analyzers are used for diagnosing plant and animal issues. |
Accurate and fast diagnostics enables better disease management and improved farm output. |
Modalities
A total of four vehicles are deployed in the state of Bihar: one each at Bihar Agricultural University in Sabour, Bihar Animal Sciences University in Patna, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University in Pusa, Samastipur, and at the Bihar Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (BAMETI) in Patna. It travels across different villages of the districts according to the pre-defined schedule, prepared in collaboration with the Krishi Vigyan Kendra of the district. Multimedia videos are played on the screen from a collection of over 200 videos in Hindi, available on its YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/bausabour). These have been developed with the support from technical experts who provide detailed information to interested farmers.
One week before the Krishi Gyan Vahan arrives in the village, young professionals and other stakeholders gather baseline information about the farmers’ needs. Based on this, two experts from the district’s Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) are assigned to address the farmers’ questions. At least four experts are always present at the Kisan Gyan Vahan: two specialists from the KVK, one Agriculture Technology Manager or Block Technology Manager from ATMA, and a young professional with a Master’s degree in Agriculture who is involved in the program. Thus, the Kisan Gyan Vahan also aims to address diverse and region-specific agricultural challenges by providing tailored advice and solutions to meet the unique needs of farming.
Ground experience – A case of KVK Munger
During May 2023, the Directorate of Extension Education, BAU, Sabour, organized the journey of KGV at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Munger on 20th May 2024, with a carefully planned itinerary, targeting various blocks and villages across the district. The places covered were Tetiyabambar (20th May), Sangrampur (21st May), Tarapur and Asarganj (22nd May), Bariyarpur (23rdMay), Sadar (24th May), and Jamalpur and Dharhara (25th May).
Leading this pioneering initiative are two seasoned experts from KVK, Munger: Dr. B.D. Singh, a Subject Matter Specialist in Extension Education, and Dr. Sujata Kumari, a Subject Matter Specialist in Home Science. These scientists engaged directly with farmers, answering their queries, and introducing them to new agricultural technologies, tailored to the local environment. Apart from these two scientists, extension functionaries from the State Department of Agriculture were also present.
Following is an account of the KGV experiences at Lakhanpur village. On May 22, the Kisan Gyan Vahan arrived at Lakhanpur village in Tarapur block. The vehicle was parked near the village chaupal, a central gathering place near the large peepal (sacred fig) tree. Word spread quickly and soon a large number of farmers gathered near the KGV. Around 84 farmers visited the Krishi Gyan Vahan and attended the chaupal. Inside the van, a large screen was set up, playing an informative video on the Integrated Farming System (IFS)—a comprehensive approach to sustainable agriculture that combines crop production, livestock management, and other farming activities to enhance productivity and profitability.
Farmers watched the video intently, many seeing such technology and information for the first time. The visual presentation made complex ideas accessible, and the practical relevance of IFS to their own fields was immediately apparent. The farmers were particularly impressed by the simplicity and effectiveness of the methods demonstrated, which were designed to maximize the use of available resources while minimizing environmental impact.
As the video ended, Dr. B.D. Singh stepped forward, addressing the crowd in a language they understood and connected with. He explained how the IFS model could be adapted to their specific needs, answering questions on crop selection, livestock integration, and resource management. His explanations were further enriched by Dr. Sujata Kumari, who delved into the home science aspects, such as hygiene related issues, farm drudgery, etc. They also distributed printed folders on “IFS” to interested farmers.
The interaction did not end with the Question and Answer (Q&A) session. Farmers were encouraged to share their experiences and challenges, fostering a two-way dialogue. The scientists took note of the feedback, ensuring that the KVK’s future interventions would be even more targeted and effective.
As the sun dipped towards the horizon, the Krishi Gyan Vahan prepared to move to its next destination. The farmers of Lakhanpur village left the chaupal feeling excited and ready to use the new techniques they had learned. Their eagerness was evident as they collected the mobile numbers of the scientists and KVKs.
Challenges
The Kisan Gyan Vahan initiative faces several key challenges. One of the main issues is the difficulty of reaching remote areas due to poor road conditions, which hampers timely service delivery. Additionally, the diverse agricultural practices across different regions make it difficult to implement a standardized approach, requiring more localized and adaptable solutions. Language differences and varying literacy levels among farmers also create communication barriers, making it hard to convey advanced agricultural knowledge.
The challenge of diverse agricultural practices was addressed by adopting a flexible, modular approach to knowledge dissemination. This means that instead of a one-size-fits-all solution, the initiative designed content that can be adapted to various contexts. To do this, the initiative is establishing region-specific content libraries. These libraries contain resources tailored to the unique conditions and needs of different areas, such as the specific crops grown, local climate factors, and prevailing farming techniques. By allowing teams to customize their teachings using these resources, they can provide relevant information that resonates with local farmers.
This adaptability ensured that the information provided was relevant and immediately applicable to farmers in different areas. To overcome language barriers and varying literacy levels, the program adopted a multi-pronged communication strategy, which included taking assistance of local agricultural experts (Agricultural Technology Managers, Block Technology Managers under ATMA scheme) who could communicate in regional dialects.
Benefit and impact
Krishi Gyan Vahan of Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, has travelled to over 87 locations across 52 blocks in 12 districts, engaging with more than 6,712 farmers (who attended Q and A session) through its outreach efforts, during May to August 2024.
The Kisan Gyan Vahan initiative aims to significantly enhance the extension services available in the state, with the potential to boost agricultural productivity in Bihar. By providing farmers with direct access to modern farming techniques and expert guidance, it seeks to create meaningful impact. However, we acknowledge the challenge of achieving such lofty ambitions with just four vehicles.
Sustainability and scaling up
For the Krishi Gyan Vahan initiative to achieve long-term sustainability and scalability, consistent funding and robust institutional support are crucial. Expanding this initiative across all 38 districts of Bihar with dedicated mobile agriculture vans, as proposed by BAU’s Vice Chancellor, will necessitate coordinated efforts among government bodies, agricultural institutions and local communities. This collaboration involves local and state governments working together to secure funding and develop supportive policies, while partnerships with universities and research centers can provide essential technical expertise and training. Engaging community leaders and farmers ensures that the initiative meets local needs and garners grassroot support. Additionally, resource sharing among stakeholders (private partners, NGOs) can maximize impact and minimize redundancy, while ongoing feedback mechanisms allow for real-time adjustments to the program.
Lessons learned and conclusion
The Krishi Gyan Vahan initiative highlights the need for context-specific interventions in agricultural development, but it also reveals some lessons about the challenges of a centralized approach. While it aims to modernize agricultural practices by delivering expert knowledge and resources directly to farmers, the initiative must be adaptable to truly meet regional needs and foster trust within local communities. To effectively enhance productivity and improve animal husbandry, it is essential to incorporate feedback from farmers and local stakeholders. This will help ensure that the program is not only innovative but also rooted in the realities of the communities it serves. Ultimately, the initiative aspires to empower farmers, improve food security, and stimulate economic growth in Bihar. However, to achieve a sustainable future for the state’s agricultural sector, it must evolve beyond traditional assumptions and embrace a more decentralized, inclusive model.
Assistant Professor, Department of Extension Education
Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour.
Email: inc.aditya@gmail.com
D.R. Singh
Vice Chancellor,
Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour
R.K. Sohane
Director Extension Education
Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour.
