The Indian Council of Agricultural Research has established a wide network of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in the country aiming at the assessment, refinement and demonstration of proven technology/products. Now, 33 KVKs are operating in Odisha, out of which 31 KVKs are under the control of OUAT, one by CIFA and one by NRRI, Cuttack.
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Nabarangpur was established by ICAR on 12th March 2004 under the control of OUAT at Umerkote farm. Its boundary stretches north to Raipur and west to Bastar Districts of Chhattisgarh. The east side of Nabarangpur touches the Kalahandi and Rayagada Districts and south to the Koraput Districts of Odisha. The river Indravati forms the border between Nabarangpur and Koraput Districts. Nabarangpur has more than 90 per cent of its inhabitants depend on farming for their livelihood. The farming community largely depends on rain due to a lack of irrigation facilities. National Horticulture Mission is taking lots of steps to improve the cultivation of many fruits and vegetables in the district. Nabarangpur district is a treasure of many natural resources like iron, chlorite, mica, quartz etc.
Krishi Vigyan Kendra is a district-level innovative institution mainly concerned with On-Farm Testing (OFT), Front Line Demonstration (FLD), training and Farm Advisory Services at the grassroots level. The KVK, Nabarangpur since its inception in 2004 has been striving hard to achieve this mandate under the aegis of Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology, Bhubaneswar. The activities of the KVK have supported a cross-section of farming communities to enhance the productivity of rice, millets, oilseeds, pulses, vegetables, fruits and flowers respectively. The achievement has been possible with the evaluation of new technology through On Farm Trials in participatory research mode, creating an impact to accept the best technology through Front Line Demonstration followed by capacity building programmes. It is needless to highlight the impact of Kissan Mela, Exhibitions, Field days, Scientists visiting the farmer’s field, published extension literature, film shows, Exposure visits and other extension activities that have motivated the farmers towards a desirable direction.
KVK is associated with multifarious tasks and time-bound assignments given by ICAR-ZPD, OUAT, Govt. Odisha, Govt. of India and is also well connected with Line Department Officials, Different flagship schemes/programme, NGOs, FPOs, SHGs, and Access Development Services for the all-round development of the farming community.