The ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI) was established on August 19, 2015, with its office located at Garbhuchak, Jagdeo Path, Patna. The KVKs act as Single Window Agricultural Knowledge, Resource and Capacity Development Centre under the supervision of ATARI. In addition to this, ATARI oversee and assess the programs undertaken by Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in Bihar and Jharkhand Over the years, ATARI has successfully implemented a number of programs and greatly expanded the range of services it offers. These initiatives encompass ARYA, Farmers FIRST Program, Cluster Front Line Demonstrations focusing on Pulses and Oilseeds under the NFSM, Seed Hub on Pulses, Oilseeds Model Village Project (OMV), Pulses Model Village Project (PMV) New Extension Methodology and Approaches, Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia, National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Tribal Sub Plan and Out Scaling of Natural Farming. These initiatives have been carried out with remarkable success contributing to the agricultural development of the region.

The ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute ATARI(erstwhile Zonal Project Directorate, Zone-III) for North Eastern Region is located at the ICAR Research Complex for NE ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam(Barapani) in Meghalaya state. The Umiam is located near the Umiam(Barapani) lake enroute to Shillong from Guwahati. The Shillong airport is just 6 km from the ATARI, ICAR Complex and well connected by road from Guwahati and Shillong. The ATARI is responsible for the implementation of Transfer of Technology(TOT) Projects of ICAR in the North Eastern Region of the country. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research(ICAR) mooted the idea of establishing Krishi Vigyan Kendra(Farm Science Centre) as innovative institution for imparting trainings to the practising farmers, school drop-outs and field level extension functionaries, which would help in accelerating the agricultural production and also improving socio-economic conditions of the farming community. The ATARI, Umiam(Barapani), one of the eleventh zones of India under the Transfer of Technology Project of ICAR comprises of five North Eastern States namely; Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram and Tripura. Agriculture is the primary occupation in the region with over 80% of the population directly and indirectly depending on it and majority of the farmers are small and marginal. Presently, there are a total of 43 sanctioned KVKs spread over 5 states with a total number of 43 functioning KVKs as on 11th June, 2020.