Issues and Challenges of a Community Scientist at KVK and Way Forward
- 1. Issues and Challenges of a Community Scientist at KVK and Way Forward Dr. Manisha Bhatia Krishi Vigyan Kendra Hoshiarpur (Punjab) Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana bhatiamanisha@pau.edu
- 2. Core Issue • Community Scientists play an important role in overall KVK performance. • But often our work goes unrecognized, not considered important and often lacks visibility • Hence needs adequate emphasis and encouragement for optimal output.
- 3. Key Job Responsibilities of Community Scientists at KVKs Surveys Demonstrations Need based trainings Developing Extension Literature Developing updated information centre at KVK Coordination with line departments Coordination with SAUs Organising kisan melas, kisan gosthis Advisory services Reporting Plan and conduct OFTS/FLDs Developing entrepreneurs Formation and management of SHGs/FPOs Any other task assigned
- 4. Challenges Lack of motivation from seniors Lack of freedom to disagree with decision taken by seniors Lack of cooperation from supporting staff Lots of reports Lack of location specific technologies Lack of technical backstopping from SAUs Poor reporting reflecting and sharing experiences Lack of technologies in the form of OFTs and FLDs No package of practices
- 5. You can’t change the ocean or the weather, no matter how hard you try, so it is best to learn how to sail in all conditions……..
- 6. Knowledge Management • Converting data into information and knowledge and then applying wisely. • Knowledge and technology plays an important role.
- 7. Knowledge management process Data: Raw, figures, unevaluated facts Information and documentation: Data is processed into the form that is meaningful Knowledge: retained information concerning facts, concepts and relationship Technology: Application of techniques and softwares for maximum research output Output: research paper, review articles, success stories
- 8. Surveys • Nutrition garden Baseline information Consumption pattern Expenditure pattern Pre and post intervention Case studies of nutrition garden in AWC or some common place Best practices of post harvest handling
- 9. • Use of ICT by farm women Trends in use of ICT by farm women/adolescents Usage of ICT during Pre and post-covid Utilisation of various Apps such as weather, seed, KVK apps Constraints faced by farm women in use of ICT Use of ICT by agripreneurs Surveys
- 10. Pre and post evaluation Gain in knowledge and skills Effectiveness of demonstrations Rate of adoption of technology Demonstrations
- 11. Trainings Pre and post evaluation Gain in knowledge and skills Effectiveness of trainings including physical facilities, quality of training Participation of women in mushroom, poultry, bee-keeping training programmes Change in the self confidence and social recognition of farm women Geographical outreach of the training programmes
- 12. Strengthening of FPOs and SHGs/entrepreneur Performance Sustainability Potential Success stories/Case studies Economic impact Exploratory studies Mistakes to be avoided
- 13. Development of Extension Literature and Information Centres Content analysis of the e-content Changes in literature over a period Qualitative evaluation
- 14. Reports Timeline studies Trends in footfall of farm women in KVKs Geographical outreach of KVKs Changing trends in participation of farm women in KVK activities
- 15. Awareness programme for school/college students Attitude and practices of school students regarding swachhta/environment/nutrition related issues Change in knowledge of students
- 16. Summarize • Time management • Prioritization • Listing of all the assigned work • Designated time for review and documentation • Inter-district studies • National level studies • Strong linkage between research and extension