Innovative institutional approaches for Agricultural Knowledge System management in India

         In India, a multipronged institutional arrangements is involved in the management of Agricultural Knowledge Systems (AKS). At the national level, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has established a Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture (DKMA) with a focus on inclusive knowledge management approach. Agropedia and Open Agri are the other recent national level initiatives for strengthening AKS in the country.          A single arrangement for the delivery of relevant technology and technology products is being implemented through Agricultural Technology Information Centres (ATICs). At the grass-root levels, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (Farm Science Centres) and Agricultural Technology Management Agencies (ATMA) have the responsibility of knowledge resource management. There are 200 such centres within a network which includes eight Zonal Project Directorates and that is co-ordinated through a central hub located in New Delhi.          A vast network of Rural Knowledge Centres was established by the South Asian University (SAU), governments and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) also play an important role in AKS management to reach millions of farm families living in diverse agro-climatic zones under wide geographic dispersion.      