Context

• According to UN projections, the population of India is expected to reach billion by 2050. Qualitative and quantitative feeding of such a huge population is a formidable challenge owing to deteriorating natural resources, shrinking arable land, and the deleterious impacts of global climate change. 
• However, emerging technologies and farm innovations have the potential to be game changers in ensuring food security for all. 

Lab to Land Programme

• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the national apex body for agricultural research, education, and extension is spearheading the ‘Lab to Land programme’.
• The programme covers all activities pertaining to the transfer of technologies, innovations, and information to farmers and fields.
• ICAR implements the ‘Lab to Land programme’ through its 731 strong network of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) across the country. 

Role of KVKs

• KVKs were introduced in 1974 in Puducherry on pilot basis for the transfer of agricultural technologies and knowledge to farmers. 
• Currently, it is the only institution at the district level that acts as a knowledge and resource centre with a two-way link between farmers and researchers. 
• Its major and regular activities include 
  • on farm testing to assess the location specificity agricultural technologies under various farming systems; 
  • conducting frontline demonstrations to establish the production potential of technologies on farmers’ fields;
  • capacity development of farmers and extension personnel; 
  • acting as a knowledge and resource centre of technologies; 
  • providing farm-advisories to farmers.

Other Initiatives towards Lab to Land

• More than 3.5 lakh Common Service Centres (CSCs) in rural areas have been linked with the KVKs for providing technological solutions to the farmers visiting CSCs with agriculture related problems. 
• ‘Mera Gaon, Mera Gaurav’ (My Village, My Pride) is a novel Lab to Land initiative by ICAR in which groups of scientists identify/adopt villages for dissemination of technologies, and information to farmers. 
• ARYA (Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture) is a specialised initiative which aims to create job opportunities in rural areas by skilling/training youth in various agro-enterprises.
• The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has launched the mKISAN portal which aims at quick transfer of technology to farmers.

• ‘Kisan Suvidha’ is an omnibus mobile app developed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare which facilitates transfer of information to farmers on some critical parameters such as weather, market prices, plant protection, cold storage, etc.

Conclusion

• Various government and private agencies are supporting Lab to Land initiatives through social media platforms as well. Various modules of extension services in India are moving and converging in a fast-track mode to deliver best knowledge services and transfer of technologies to bridge the gap.