Leh, Mar 27: The Agriculture & Allied Students Union of Ladakh (AASUL) on Thursday welcomed the transfer of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) to the University of Ladakh, bringing to a close a long-pending administrative issue that had persisted since Ladakh became a Union Territory in 2019.
In a statement issued here, AASUL described the development as the outcome of sustained efforts by students, administrators, and public representatives, noting that the final transfer of four KVKs was completed on March 24, 2026. The process was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and the University of Ladakh in New Delhi.
The Union underlined that while most institutions in Ladakh were brought under the Union Territory’s administrative framework soon after reorganisation, six agricultural units under SKUAST-Kashmir remained outside its ambit. Two research stations in Leh and Kargil were transferred in 2024, but four KVKs continued under SKUAST-Kashmir until their recent shift.
AASUL credited the progress to continuous engagement since 2019, stating that the issue gained traction over the past two years with coordinated efforts between the Union Territory administration, central authorities, and academic institutions. The Union acknowledged the role of officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, ICAR, and the University of Ladakh in facilitating the transfer.
The integration of KVKs into the University framework is expected to streamline agricultural extension services and strengthen coordination between research, education, and field-level outreach in Ladakh. These centres serve as a critical link between scientific research and farming communities, particularly in the region’s challenging climatic conditions.
The Union also noted that the establishment of agriculture and horticulture colleges in Leh and Kargil in recent years has laid the foundation for a more localised academic structure, which will now be further reinforced by the inclusion of KVKs.
Describing the development as a collective achievement, AASUL expressed gratitude to a wide range of stakeholders, including administrative officials, academic leaders, public representatives, and student organisations, for their support throughout the process.
Reaffirming its role, the Union said it will continue to work towards strengthening student welfare and advancing agricultural development in Ladakh.
