Shivraj Singh Chouhan Calls for Strengthening KVKs and Effective Redressal of Farmers’ Complaints

Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, chaired two high-level review meetings at Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi, focusing on strengthening the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) network and improving the functioning of the agriculture complaint redressal system. Senior officials, including Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi, were present at the meeting.

In the first meeting, Chouhan underlined the need to make the 731 KVKs across the country more effective, empowered, and responsive to farmers’ needs. He said that while expanding their network, the government’s priority is to strengthen these centres to better serve small and marginal farmers. KVKs, he added, are the “primary bridge” between agricultural research institutions and the farming community—responsible for disseminating technology, training, and innovations.

The Union Minister directed the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to ensure adequate financial, human, and technical support for all KVKs. He also called for uniformity in training, research, extension, and entrepreneurship promotion across the KVK network. Emphasising the welfare of KVK scientists and staff, Shri Chouhan instructed that their promotions, salaries, and retirement benefits be aligned with academic qualifications and service parity.

Chouhan said that KVKs must actively implement farmer-centric policies and develop model initiatives in integrated farming and natural agriculture. He stressed that “every farmer should benefit from the work of KVKs” and directed coordination with state governments, NITI Aayog, and the Finance Ministry to address institutional and administrative challenges.

Resolution of Farmers’ Complaints

In a separate meeting, the Minister reviewed the complaint portal under the Agriculture Ministry, which receives grievances related to fertilisers, seeds, pesticides, the PM-Fasal Bima Yojana, and the PM-Kisan Portal. Officials reported that over 150 pesticide-related complaints were received, of which 120 were resolved, 11 led to FIRs, and eight company licences were cancelled.

Chouhan instructed that no complaint should be closed without confirming the farmer’s satisfaction. “After every action, the concerned farmer must be contacted to verify the resolution,” he said, adding that dissatisfied farmers’ cases should be re-investigated. He directed that strict timelines be established for complaint resolution to prevent delays.

The Minister further advised officials to identify states where complaints remain high or unresolved and to seek regular feedback from those states. He proposed awarding certificates of appreciation to states and officers showing exemplary performance in complaint redressal.

Highlighting accountability and transparency, Chouhan also supported a proposal for state nodal officers to obtain daily feedback directly from farmers on at least ten complaints. He reiterated that serious complaints may require the Ministry’s direct intervention to ensure farmers’ trust and satisfaction.