Union Minister of State (Independent Representative) for Science and Technology; Minister of State (Independent Representative) for Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today said that Ministry of Biotechnology has funded fifty one (51) Biotech-Kisan hubs of which forty four (44) are operational. These nodes are located in 15 agro-climatic zones of the country and carry out activities in 169 districts.
In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) is launching a farmer-focused mission program ‘Biotech-Krishi Innovation Science Application Network’ (Biotech-KISAN). The program connects Indian farmers with the best scientists and institutions. The minister said the program aims to work with small and marginal farmers for better agricultural productivity through scientific interventions and development of best agricultural practices.
Main activities of the program
The main activities of the program are understanding the problems of local farmers, finding available technologies/solutions, demonstration and extension programmes, creating a strong platform for interaction between scientists and farmers; training programs for farmers and immersion programs for scientists, communication through radio/TV and social media, thematic scholarships for selected farmers and special thematic scholarships focused on solutions for women farmers.
The intended contribution of the program is to increase the income of farmers through technological interventions and the development of bio-enterprises in rural areas. The program has benefited more than four million farmers (directly or indirectly) by increasing their agricultural production and income. The program is also successful in developing 200 entrepreneurs in rural areas. The Ministry has so far provided support of Rs. 9554.146 crore per programme.
In addition, Indian Government Ministries/Departments are implementing various programs for direct linkage between scientific laboratories and farmers in the country. Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE)/Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) supports 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK) and implements programs like Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav (MGMG), Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCSP) and Farmer FIRST. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) laboratories CIMAP (Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants) and National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow (NBRI) provide technical support and guidance to farmers through training and skill development programs in various aspects of agriculture, science and technology. Apart from Biotech-Kisan, the ministry also supports farmers through its social programme.