The Shram Sadhana Trust, Amravati is the premier organization in Maharashtra which was founded “ Krishi Vigyan Kendra” in July, 1996 with a view to spread agricultural education among the small farmers and weaker sections of society which is formed by Hon’ble Pratibhatai Patil,Ex-President of India & Dr. Devisinghji Shekhawat.Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Durgapur (Badnera) is situated away 3 km. from railway station & 2 km from Bus stand of Badnera town and is well connected by tar road. It has a beautiful landscape of 50 acre area having 5 wells for irrigation and KT ware Bandhara & Jalbandh on the nala flowing over farm. The administrative building is artistically designed to house office staff and laboratories. The campus is all along the railway line passing to Mumbai via Badnera.
The Krishi Vigyan Kendra is an institutional project of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to demonstrate the application of science and technology input of agricultural research and education on the farmers field and in the rural area with the help of multidisciplinary tram of scientist. It is therefore also called as a front line demonstration, transfer of technology or extension system in the country.
The Krishi Vigyan Kendra is very well conversant with the technology development and transfer of technology to the farmers of the region. KVK Durgapur has contributed much towards the development of agriculture by conducting various need based training programs, demonstrations, OFTs, FLDs, workshops, etc. In the operational area KVK has introduced various water conservation models such as farm ponds, gabbian structures, wanrai bandhara, and low cost rain water harvesting structures benefiting 158 farmers. This model is replicated by State Department as ‘Isambri model’ after the name of the village where 441 TCM rain water is harvested by using all these water conservation structures.
Front line demonstrations on major crops of the region are organized to fulfill the technological gaps between improved and farmers practice of crop production. All the recent trends in agriculture i.e. INM, IPM, ICM, use of improved and high yielding varieties were demonstrated. KVK has developed a ‘Sawarkheda’ model of IPM by mass trapping of Helicoverpa using pheromone traps.
KVK has established close linkages with line departments for development of sustainable agriculture. Various dry land agriculture models viz.; in situ soil & water conservation, production and use of organic manure, bio control agents and bio pesticides, etc. were introduced to increase the productivity in rain fed conditions. Animal science department has undertaken a programme for up gradation of local goats by using Osmanabadi buck to increase the economic returns from subsidiary occupation as well as to impart technical knowledge about improved practices of goat farming. Various diagnostic and vaccination programmes were also organized.
The KVK has undertaken a project on ‘Integrated Nutrient Management in Orange for Quality Improvement’ to provide technical backup to the orange growers from Warud and Morshi blocks in the operational area of this KVK which are identified for export quality production of oranges.
The KVK has established various demonstration units and started commercial units of Bio control agents, Bio pesticide & Bio fertilizer Production , Soil, Leaf & Water Testing lab.,
Plant Health Clinic, Fruits, Vegetables & Soya bean Processing Unit, Dairy, Goat & Poultry Production, Nursery Unit & Mushroom production. These units are established to ensure quality inputs at reasonable rates to the farmers. The trainings on production of these inputs were also organized to increase self employment among rural masses so that they can earn their livelihood and improve their socio economic condition.
In order to improve the socio-economic situation of women in agriculture and for drudgery reduction, women self help groups are formed. This KVK has formed 100 farmers club at village level to identify and communicate their problems related to agricultural and allied activities. KVK frequently organizes meetings for interactions between scientists and farmers.
This KVK is fully functional in its operational area with record achievements and has bagged award of excellence for best work done under ATMA project, stood first in State level agriculture exhibition organised by SAU, Akola. Since inception the organization has gained faith of the rural population lot of reliability and trust of the farmers.