Dr. G .K. Girijesh

M.Sc. (Agri.), Ph.D

Director of Extension
Phone: +91 94808 38957

The Directorate of Extension of the University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences Shivamogga has a statutory role to provide directions and leadership in extension education activities. Transfer of scientific interventions developed in research stations of the Universities/ICAR Institutes in such a way that the farm income has to be increased without disturbing the ecological balance of the farm. This noble activity facilitates in bridging the identified technological gaps existing with the farmers. The ultimate goal of this important function of Directorate of Extension is to enhance the sustainable net income of the farmer, by taking all the enterprises on the farm into consideration, integrating them and treating the whole farm as one unit. This major function of extension is accomplished through dissemination of farm information, training of farmers and extension functionaries, educating the farmers through field activities such as demonstrations, field visits, field days, farm Advisory services etc. In order to achieve this goal the Directorate of Extension has four KrishiVigyanaKendras Two Extension Education Units (EEU’s) working in different Agro climatic zones of Karnataka (Central Dry Zone Southern Transitional Zone, Hill Zone and Coastal Zone).

Vision:
To improve the livelihoods of farming community through holistic approaches of scientific technology transfer, developed in the research stations, in such a way that farm ecosystems are sustained.

Mission:

To improve the livelihoods of farming community through holistic approaches of scientific technology transfer/developed in the research stations, in such a way that farm ecosystems are sustained.

Objectives:

• To facilitate effective transfer of technology to the farmers.
• To educate farmers, government officials and trainers on new developments in the field of agriculture and allied areas.
• To develop extension techniques that are best suited for the transfer of technologies for overall development of farmers’ knowledge base.
• To get an effective feedback from the grass root level, on the performance of technologies released and on emerging problems for the further research.

Extension Focus:

• Generation and dissemination of market oriented information for making agriculture profitable and sustainable.
• Information on various aspects of climate change and its dissemination through development of dedicated climate change portal.
• More publicity of farmers success stories through print media and ICT tools.
• Emphasis on voice based mobile advisory in local language as text based advisory services issued through mobile facilities 
• Providing of economy custom hiring services for farm implement and machinery at panchayath level to save labour.
• Emphasis on secondary agriculture and are to be made available to availability of appropriate technologies for the farmers during post harvest and value addition to produce.
• Operationalization of the concept of extension for research and development for addressing various agricultural issues.
• Promotion and popularization of natural resource conservation technologies and farm mechanization.

The Mandates of Directorate of Extension are:

• Liaison with the University and development departments of the state governments
• Identify research and extension gaps and provide feedback to the concerned.
• Ensuring timely conduct of bi-monthly and pre-seasonal workshops in different districts.
• Organizing Mega Krishimela at University level and at zonal level.
• Preparation of status reports for the districts in collaboration with line department.
• Formulating scientist’s team to serve as resource persons for the bi-monthly technical workshops.
• Formulating a team of scientists for diagnostic visits and assessment on specific problems.
• Collaborate with the Joint Directors of the respective districts for conducting bi-monthly technical workshops at each of the districts.
• Evaluate farm trials and provide feedback to research system.
• Documentation, printing and publication of success stories and preparation of videos for wider reach

Communication of Farm Information

Director of Extension under takes various community activities for communication of farm information and its dissemination to the farming community.In collaboration with other farm Universities, The Package of Practices has been brought out for the benefit of the farming community. Publishing folders, booklets, popular articles, success stories on scientific agriculture for the use of farmers.Arranging exhibitions at the National, State & University level on various agriculture technologies and Media coverage (print/electronic media) for wider dissemination of technologies. Co-ordinating with Doordharshan and All India Radio in disseminating the technology to stake holders.

Extension Education Units
University conducts extension activities through EEU working at Kathalagere, Madikeri and Extension Units at Thirthahalli and Sringeri.

Particulars                            Madikeri                     Kathalagere
Year of establishment              2010                              2008

Conducting Front line Demonstrations:
EEU’s conducting 85 demonstrations in 140 locations on new varieties in crops like, Paddy, (JGL-1798, KPR-1, Tunga and BPT-5205), Redgram (BRG-2), Ragi (ML-365), Field bean (HA-4), Cowpea (KBC-2), Blackgram (Rashmi), Greengram (KKM-3), Groundnut (GPBD- 4 & 5), Castor (DCH 177, HCH-6). Demonstrations were also conducted on Bio fertilizers inter cropping system, sheep goat rearing & Farm Mechanization, inter crop in arecanut. These new varieties were popularized which resulted in increased yields of crops to the extent of 8 to 23%.
Demonstration of inter cropping of Red gram (BRG-2) two rows in between areca rows found to be suitable and giving additional income in young areca gardens (1 to 6 years). This inter cropping is popular among arecanut growers in Maidan area with other benefits i.e., of shade and also maintaining soil fertility.

Farm Trails:
25 farm trails have been conducted on new varieties of crops Paddy, Maize Tobacco, Redgram, Ragi, Sorghum, cowpea, blackgram, greengram, filed bean, Soil & weed management, alternate cropping system nutrient management . The result of the farm trials has confirmed sustainability of location specific in farmers field.

Training programmes:
On campus training programmes (89 nos.) involving 3463 farmer / farm women and off campus training programmes (138 nos.) involving 6,784 farmer / farm women were participated. The training programmes conducted on integrated nutrient, pest and disease management in major agricultural (paddy, maize, sugarcane, groundnut, sunflower, pulses etc.) and horticultural crops (arecanut, banana, coconut, onion, ginger, coffee, pepper, cashew, turmeric, mango, pineapple, etc.), feed and disease management in livestock and value addition in milk, composite fish culture, vermi-composting, forage crop production etc.

Training programs on Agriculture and Allied aspects:

Education training programmes were conducted for farmers / farm women and youth in Agriculture and allied aspects. Sixty Five training programmes were organized which 2400 farmers benefited. Other than training programmes skill imparting training programmes (28 Nos), 23 field days involving 650 farmers, 820 field visits to solve the field problems through diagnostic field visits and 12 exposure visits were organized.