About ICAR ATARI

2 ATARI Name : ICAR-ATARI Zone-VIII Pune

ATARI Address : ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI), College of Agriculture Campus, Shivajinagar, Pune (Maharashtra)

Pincode : 411 005

No. of KVKs under ATARI : 77

भारतीय कृषि अनुसन्धान परिषद - कृषि तकनीकी अनुप्रयोग संस्थान, पुन.

ICAR - Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Pune : An Overview

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research & Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. Agricultural Extension Division is one of the Subject Matter Divisions where the major activities are of Assessment, Refinement and Demonstration of Technology/Products through a network of 648KrishiVigyanKendras (KVKs). The Division of Agricultural Extension, ICAR, New Delhi is headed by Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension) supported by 2 Assistant Director Generals. The thrust areas of Agricultural Extension Division are:

Assessment, refinement and demonstration of technology/products.

Training of practising farmers, farm women and vocational training for rural youth.

Training of extension personnel.

Single window delivery system for technology products, diagnostic services and information through, Agricultural Technology Information Centres (ATICs)

Development of gender-specific technologies, and

Creating awareness of improved agricultural technologies among the farmers.

Technology Application, assembling and feedback.

Institution building and partnership.

ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI), Pune is one of the 11 ICAR-ATARIs formerly known as Zonal Project Directorates (ZPDs) functioning under Division of Agricultural Extension. ICAR has established a vast network of KVKs all over the country under the administrative control of various ICAR institutes, State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), State Department of Agriculture, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other institutes for implementing the central governmental projects/schemes. In the Zone, 7 Agricultural Technology Information Centres (ATICs) are working for delivering the “Single Window” delivery system. Since, Zonal Project Directorate has been elevated as ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI), the mandates of ICAR-ATARI has also been changed where socio-economic research is one of the integral components.

Mandates of ICAR-ATARI

Coordination and Monitoring of Technology Application and Frontline Extension Education Programs.

Strengthening Agricultural Extension Research and Knowledge Management.

Mandate and Activities of KVKs

The mandate of KVK is technology assessment and demonstration for its application and capacity development.To implement the mandate effectively, following activities are envisaged for each KVK.

On-farm testing (OFTs) to assess the location specificity of agricultural technologies under various farming systems.

Frontline demonstrations to establish production potential of technologies on the farmers’ fields.

Capacity development of farmers &extension personnel to update their knowledge &skill on modern agricultural technologies.

To work as knowledge and resource centre of agricultural technologies for supporting initiatives of public, private and voluntary sector in improving the agricultural economy of the district.

Provide farm advisories using ICT and other media means of varied subjects of interest to farmers.

KVKs Functioning under ICAR-ATARI, Pune

Major Functions of ICAR-ATARI

Planning, implementation, monitoring and reviewing of KVK activities.

To identify, prioritize and implement various activities for technology integration and dissemination.

Coordinating with SAUs, ICAR institutes, line departments and NGOs in the zone for implementation of KVK mandates and activities.

Facilitating financial and infrastructural support to KVKs for effective functioning.

Major Thrust Areas

Sustainable farming system through location-specific technology assessment, refinement and demonstrations.

Resource conservation through soil-water conservation, watershed management and mechanization.

Development and promotion of crop and enterprise diversification and alternate land use system.

Popularization of Integrated Pest Management, Integrated Nutrient Management, Integrated Water Management and programmes.

Promoting rural entrepreneurship in crop, horticulture, livestock, goatery, poultry, fishery, mushroom, etc. by production, processing, value addition and marketing for higher income.

Empowerment of farmwomen and youth through income generating activities and reduction of drudgery.

Alternate livelihood support system for marginal, landless labour and farmwomen to check rural migration.