Navigating Constraints and Exploring Solutions: A Review on Subject Matter Specialists (SMSs) in KVKs in India

Thirumal, A *

Department of Agricultural Extension, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India.

Lakshmi Muralikrishna

Department of Agricultural Extension, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India.

Dhivya C

Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641003, India.

Suresh Kannan, M

Department of Nammazhvar Organic Farming Research Centre, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641003, India.

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.


Abstract

Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) are India's front-line institutions for technology evaluation, improvement, and distribution; nevertheless, ongoing structural and operational limitations frequently impede the efficacy of Subject Matter Specialists (SMSs), who are essential to these responsibilities. In order to identify and classify the main constraints affecting SMS performance, this review critically synthesizes material from eight peer-reviewed publications published between 2013 and 2023, supplemented by government reports and secondary literature. To create a thorough understanding of the difficulties inside the agricultural innovation system, constraints were categorized into technological, administrative, economical, ICT-related, and personal domains. According to the analysis, 28.57% of the reviewed studies reported technological gaps, such as inadequate climate-resilient practices, limited access to emerging innovations, and weak linkages for technology refinement; an equal percentage highlighted administrative barriers, such as staff shortages, delayed fund flow, inadequate mobility support, and poor inter-departmental coordination. Similarly, socioeconomic limitations specifically, poor farmer awareness, high input costs, and restricted risk-taking capacity were highlighted in 28.57% of research. Poor digital infrastructure, inadequate ICT training, and limited adoption of digital extension tools were the main causes of the 14.29% of studies that reported ICT-related problems. SMS underperformance is made worse by cross-cutting issues such as fragmented institutional support, limited field exposure, and inadequate capacity building. The results imply that SMSs will continue to be underutilized until these complex limitations are addressed comprehensively, jeopardizing KVKs' ability to improve farmer knowledge, encourage technology adoption, and bolster agricultural resilience. Key policy imperatives to realign KVK operations toward greater efficacy, inclusivity, and sustainability include strengthening ICT-enabled extension systems, guaranteeing timely fund allocation, enhancing capacity development, and mainstreaming SMS roles within climate-smart and digital agriculture frameworks.

Keywords: Constraints, suggestions, subject matter specialists, problems, KVKs, review


How to Cite

A, Thirumal, Lakshmi Muralikrishna, Dhivya C, and Suresh Kannan, M. 2025. “Navigating Constraints and Exploring Solutions: A Review on Subject Matter Specialists (SMSs) in KVKs in India”. Archives of Current Research International 25 (12):183-96. https://doi.org/10.9734/acri/2025/v25i121661.

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