Community scientists at KVKs play an important role but often face challenges like lack of motivation, freedom, and technical support. They are responsible for conducting surveys, demonstrations, trainings, developing extension materials, and coordinating with other organizations. However, their work often lacks visibility and recognition. To address these issues, community scientists should practice effective knowledge management by converting data into information and applying it wisely using appropriate technologies. They can conduct surveys to collect baseline data and document best practices. Demonstrations and trainings can be evaluated for their effectiveness in improving skills and adoption. Reports should track metrics like participation levels and outreach. With better time management, prioritization, documentation, and linkages between research and extension, the work

1. Issues and Challenges of a Community
Scientist at KVK and Way Forward
Dr. Manisha Bhatia
Krishi Vigyan Kendra
Hoshiarpur (Punjab)
Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
bhatiamanisha@pau.edu

2. Core Issue
• Community Scientists play an important
role in overall KVK performance.
• But often our work goes unrecognized,
not considered important and often
lacks visibility
• Hence needs adequate emphasis and
encouragement for optimal output.

3. Key Job
Responsibilities
of Community
Scientists at
KVKs
Surveys
Demonstrations
Need based
trainings
Developing
Extension
Literature
Developing
updated
information
centre at KVK
Coordination
with line
departments
Coordination
with SAUs
Organising kisan
melas, kisan
gosthis
Advisory
services Reporting
Plan and
conduct
OFTS/FLDs
Developing
entrepreneurs
Formation and
management
of SHGs/FPOs
Any other
task
assigned

4. Challenges
Lack of
motivation
from seniors
Lack of
freedom to
disagree with
decision taken
by seniors
Lack of
cooperation
from
supporting
staff
Lots of
reports
Lack of location
specific
technologies
Lack of
technical
backstopping
from SAUs
Poor
reporting
reflecting
and sharing
experiences
Lack of
technologies
in the form
of OFTs and
FLDs
No package
of practices

5. You can’t change the ocean or the weather,
no matter how hard you try,
so it is best to learn
how to sail in all conditions……..

6. Knowledge Management
• Converting data into information and
knowledge and then applying wisely.
• Knowledge and technology plays an
important role.

7. Knowledge management process
Data: Raw,
figures,
unevaluated facts
Information and
documentation: Data
is processed into the
form that is
meaningful
Knowledge: retained
information
concerning facts,
concepts and
relationship
Technology:
Application of
techniques and
softwares for
maximum research
output
Output: research
paper, review
articles, success
stories

8. Surveys
• Nutrition garden
Baseline information
Consumption pattern
Expenditure pattern
Pre and post intervention
Case studies of nutrition garden in AWC or
some common place
Best practices of post harvest handling

9. • Use of ICT by farm women
Trends in use of ICT by farm
women/adolescents
Usage of ICT during Pre and post-covid
Utilisation of various Apps such as weather,
seed, KVK apps
Constraints faced by farm women in use of
ICT
Use of ICT by agripreneurs
Surveys

10. Pre and post evaluation
Gain in knowledge and skills
Effectiveness of demonstrations
Rate of adoption of technology
Demonstrations

11. Trainings
Pre and post evaluation
Gain in knowledge and skills
Effectiveness of trainings including physical
facilities, quality of training
Participation of women in mushroom,
poultry, bee-keeping training programmes
Change in the self confidence and social
recognition of farm women
Geographical outreach of the training
programmes

12. Strengthening of FPOs and
SHGs/entrepreneur
Performance
Sustainability
Potential
Success stories/Case studies
Economic impact
Exploratory studies
Mistakes to be avoided

13. Development of Extension Literature
and Information Centres
Content analysis of the e-content
Changes in literature over a period
Qualitative evaluation

14. Reports
Timeline studies
Trends in footfall of farm women in KVKs
Geographical outreach of KVKs
Changing trends in participation of farm
women in KVK activities

15. Awareness programme for
school/college students
Attitude and practices of school
students regarding
swachhta/environment/nutrition
related issues
Change in knowledge of students

16. Summarize
• Time management
• Prioritization
• Listing of all the assigned work
• Designated time for review and
documentation
• Inter-district studies
• National level studies
• Strong linkage between research and
extension