It portrays various managerial skills that a Krishi Vigyan Kendra or Farm Science Centre Head should possess and how they can still be enhanced for effective functioning of KVKs which are transfer of technology units at district level in India

1. Prof. Surya Rathore, PGDBM, PGDTMA
Principal Scientist (Extension Information Systems),
ICAR – National Academy of Agricultural Research
Management, Hyderabad – 500030 (Telangana)
E-mail: suryarathore@naarm.org.in

2. What are Managerial Skills
• Managerial skills refer to the abilities and
capabilities an executive possesses to perform
managerial works in the organization.
• Good management skills are vital for every
organization to succeed and achieve its goals and
objectives effectively and efficiently.
• To perform the managerial works smoothly,
managers must have managerial skills like
conceptual skills, technical skills and interpersonal
skills.

3. Skills for smooth performance of activities
Interpersonal
Technical
Conceptual

4. Why KVK Heads need to have managerial skills?
• Senior scientists & Heads are significantly involved in the planning of
day-to-day operations, guiding the employees through a certain course
of action to help them accomplish KVK’s goals.
• An understanding of the management activities and techniques will
help the KVK scientists to manage their mandated activities effectively
and efficiently (Venkatasubramanian et al. 2009).
• Management involves Planning, Organizing, Staffing, Directing,
Coordinating, Reporting and Budgeting (POSDCORB).
• The Senior scientist & Head of the Krishi Vigyan Kendras are supposed
to perform all these functions in Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) i.e. s/he
must plan, organize, direct, coordinate, etc. and do the best for
his/her Krishi Vigyan Kendra

5. Technical Skills
• Technical skills involve the ability of the
manager/leader to use tools, procedures and
techniques in specific field.
• Technical skills of KVK scientists include knowledge
and proficiency in a certain specialized field, such
as On Farm Testing (OFT), Front-line Demonstrations
(FLDs), and development of project proposals.

6. Conceptual Skills
• Conceptual skill is the ability to see the “big picture,” to
recognize significant elements in a situation, and to
understand the relationships among the various elements of
KVK. Conceptual skill is the ability to coordinate and
integrate all of KVKs interests and activities. Conceptual
skills of KVK managers involve discipline, creativity,
decision making, prioritizing in an organization, mental
stability, comprehensive planning, evaluation of planning
effectiveness, time management, empowerment,
managing workload, and responses.

7. Human Relations skill
• Human relations skills or interpersonal skills permit
leaders/managers to network effectively with their
colleagues and subordinates and work efficiently. It
also helps professionals who are in managerial
positions to use human potential to the benefit of
the institution and improve employee productivity.
• Communication skill for a manager is a must. The
manager must be able to convey ideas and
information to others and receive information and
ideas from others effectively.

8. Decision making
• A manager’s job is to make decisions that will lead
the organization to the attainment of its goals.
Decision making skill is the skill that makes a
manager able to recognize opportunities and threats
and then select an appropriate course of action to
tackle them efficiently so that the KVK can benefit
them.

9. Analytical & diagnostic skills
• the ability to visualize the best response to a
situation. Analytical skill means, the ability to
identify the key variables in a situation. A manager’s
diagnostic and analytical skills help him to identify
possible approaches to a situation. KVK managers
should analyze A good manager has Diagnostic and
Analytical skills in his bags. Diagnostic skill refers to
the farming situation in-depth and critically and
accordingly On Farm Testing (OFT) and Front Line
Demonstrations (FLDs) should be conducted.

10. Efforts of ICAR - NAARM
The National Consultation on 'Role of NAARM in Changing
Agricultural R&D' held at NAARM, Hyderabad during January
6-7, 2011 made a recommendation to this effect. This
proposal on Foundation Training to the newly recruited
Programme Coordinators (PCs) of KVKs is in response to this
recommendation. The proposed training aims to equip the
PCs of KVKs with necessary knowledge, skills attitude and
aptitude for effective management of human, physical,
financial, information and knowledge resources to make the
KVKs vibrant, responsive and accountable front-line
extension system at the district level

11. MDP for newly recruited Senior Scientists
& Heads of KVKs
Phase Duration Core content & delivery Location
I 15 Multi - Instructional strategy consisting of ICAR-
NAARM, Hyderabad interactive lectures, hands on
practice, structured exercises, observational visits,
field exercise and case analysis
ICAR – NAARM, Hyderabad
II 10 Self-learning mode through consultation Best KVK
III 05 Discussions and Observation with visits Respective ATARI

12. Observations, Suggestions and Action
Points (Agarwal et. al. 2015)
• The KVK is in direct contact with farmers and
works as a bridge between the university and
extension work. More demonstrations are needed at
farmers‟ fields from KVK.
• There is a need for a clear-cut policy for product
procurement prices.
• An all-India networking of KVKs is essential to make
them effective. It would provide an experience
sharing platform and a forum for learning lessons
from each other.

13. (Agarwal et. al. 2015)
• Soil testing is a complicated process. More sophisticated equipments
are needed to reduce time of testing and provide instant results to
farmers.
• A multi-faceted approach is needed and the KVK should take lead in
mass-scale training in value addition and its forward linkages.
• Exposure visits are needed as per the needs of the farmers. Proper
selection of farmers for imparting training is necessary and trainings
should be planned in advance.
• The KVKs is providing training but no follow-up
• Training is also needed in operation of various machines and their
maintenance.
• Farmers are also demanding training in marketing and exports.

14. A framework

15. Improving your managerial skills
• Teamwork
• Leadership
• Entrepreneurship
• Conflict management
• Negotiation
• Strategic thinking
• Project management
• Time management
• Communication Skills
• Organisational
• Decision making
• Delegation
• Motivating
• Empathy
• Appropriate expression
• Presentation skills

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