Dr. M. Ravikishore is an Agricultural Extension Scientist with over nine years of professional
experience in research, teaching, and extension education under Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural
University (ANGRAU). His contributions have significantly strengthened agricultural technology
dissemination, climate-resilient agriculture, digital extension services, and farmer capacity
building in Andhra Pradesh.
A major contribution of Dr. Ravikishore is his role as Co-Principal Investigator of the National
Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) project at KVK, Reddipalli. Under this initiative,
he successfully developed three Climate Smart Villages in Anantapuramu district, demonstrating
climate-resilient technologies such as drought management, resource conservation, crop diversification,
and sustainable farming practices. These interventions enhanced the adaptive capacity of farmers in one
of the most drought-prone regions of the country.
Dr. Ravikishore has introduced several innovative extension approaches to improve farmers’ access
to agricultural information and advisory services. He conceptualized and implemented the “Knowledge
on Wheels” programme, which delivered field-based advisories directly to farming communities. He also
effectively implemented the “Reach Every Panchayat” programme, extending agricultural technologies and
advisory services to more than 35 villages through village-level leadership and community participation.
Recognizing the growing importance of digital agriculture, Dr. Ravikishore actively promoted
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-based extension services. He played a key role in
developing and popularizing the bilingual mobile application “KVK AgriTech-ATP,” which provides
location-specific agricultural advisories to farmers. The application has been adopted by farmers
from over 100 villages. In addition, he utilized M-Kisan services, WhatsApp groups, social media
platforms, KVK websites, toll-free advisory systems, and multi-location audio conferencing to ensure
timely dissemination of agricultural information and weather-based advisories.
His efforts in human resource development and capacity building are equally noteworthy.
Through the implementation of the Diploma in Agricultural Extension Services for Input
Dealers (DIAESI) programme, he facilitated the training of more than 440 agricultural input
dealers, transforming them into para-extension workers capable of providing scientific and
need-based advisory services. He also promoted farmer-to-farmer extension by developing master
trainers who further disseminated improved agricultural practices within their communities.
Dr. Ravikishore has successfully led and implemented numerous frontline demonstrations and technology
assessment programmes on groundnut, safflower, castor, greengram, millets, redgram, and
climate-resilient technologies under NICRA, CFLDs, and other national programmes.
These demonstrations contributed to improved productivity, profitability, and resilience of
farming systems.
His research contributions focus on technology dissemination systems, Farmer Producer Organizations
(FPOs), soil health card adoption, agripreneurship, integrated farming systems, farm mechanization,
and impact assessment of agricultural interventions. The findings of these studies have provided
valuable insights for strengthening extension systems and farmer-centric development programmes.
As an academic mentor, Dr. Ravikishore has guided six postgraduate students and contributed
to human resource development in agricultural extension. He has published more than 40 research
papers in reputed NAAS-rated journals, including Current Science, Indian Journal of Extension
Education, International Journal of Bio-resource and Stress Management, and Journal of Community
Mobilization and Sustainable Development.
Overall, Dr. M. Ravikishore’s career reflects a strong commitment to innovation,
farmer empowerment, climate resilience, digital agriculture, and effective technology transfer,
resulting in measurable benefits to farming communities and agricultural development.
Dr. M. Ravikishore has earned professional recognition as an innovative Agricultural Extension Scientist through his outstanding contributions to agricultural technology dissemination, climate-resilient agriculture, digital extension, capacity building, and impact-oriented research. His work has significantly enhanced the effectiveness of extension systems and strengthened the linkage between agricultural research institutions and farming communities.
As Co-Principal Investigator of the National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) project, Dr. Ravikishore successfully established three Climate Smart Villages in Anantapuramu district, demonstrating climate adaptation and resource conservation technologies for sustainable agricultural development. His efforts have been widely recognized for promoting resilience among farmers in drought-prone ecosystems.
Dr. Ravikishore has gained recognition for developing and implementing innovative extension methodologies such as “Knowledge on Wheels,” “Reach Every Panchayat Programme,” multi-location farmer audio conferences, farmer-to-farmer extension through master trainers, and the promotion of para-extension systems through the DIAESI programme. These initiatives substantially increased the outreach and effectiveness of agricultural advisory services across rural communities.
His pioneering contributions in ICT-enabled agricultural extension include the development and promotion of the bilingual mobile application “KVK AgriTech-ATP,” utilization of M-Kisan mobile advisory services, social media platforms, websites, and toll-free farmer advisory systems. These interventions have facilitated timely dissemination of scientific information and strengthened digital agriculture outreach among farming communities.
Dr. Ravikishore has demonstrated exemplary leadership in planning and executing frontline demonstrations, technology assessment programmes, and capacity-building initiatives under NICRA, CFLDs, CSISA, and other national programmes. His interventions in integrated crop management, climate-resilient technologies, and sustainable farming practices have resulted in improved productivity, profitability, and technology adoption among farmers.
His professional excellence is further reflected in his extensive research contributions on technology dissemination systems, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), soil health card adoption, agripreneurship, integrated farming systems, farm mechanization, and impact assessment studies. The outcomes of these studies have contributed significantly to evidence-based agricultural extension planning and policy formulation.