New Delhi | September 7, 2026 | INFRAINTEL Bureau
The Union government has approved changes to pay scales, allowances and promotion pathways for staff at Krishi Vigyan Kendras, the district-level farm-science centres supporting agricultural extension.State governments will be responsible for National Pension System contributions and retirement benefits. They have also been asked to fill vacancies and ensure timely financial and institutional support.
(ETV Bharat)
The Agriculture Ministry plans to upgrade infrastructure and logistics at 300 prioritised KVKs by March 2027 and establish incubation-cum-skill centres across the network by December 2028, linked to local enterprises and technical institutions.
Cluster demonstrations on pulses and oilseeds are under way through 353 KVKs across 24 states, targeting 12,349 hectares, of which 9,750 hectares had been covered. Officials flagged delays in funds and seed delivery that can cause seasonal windows to be missed.
The reforms address staffing and infrastructure constraints, but results should be measured through vacancy reduction, fund-release time, farmer participation, technology adoption, enterprise creation and independently assessed changes in productivity and income.