Biotech KISAN

Biotech-KISAN (Biotech-Krishi Innovation Science Application Network): A Farmers’-Centric Mission Programme

Background

Biotech-Krishi Innovation Science Application Network (Biotech-KISAN), a scientist-farmer partnership scheme that empowers farmers, especially women farmers for agriculture innovation. It aims to understand the problems of water, soil, seed and market faced by the farmers and provide simple solutions to them. The Scheme is for farmers, developed by and with farmers, it empowers women, impacts locally, connects globally, is Pan- India, has a hub-and spoke model and stimulates entrepreneurship and innovation in farmers.

The programme has now been scaled up and expanded its activities covering 115 Aspirational Districts in the country. 52 Biotech-KISAN Hubs have been established in collaboration with ICAR covering all 15 agro-climatic zones across the country. Over 200 entrepreneurships have also been developed in rural areas. The programme has benefitted over three lakh farmers (directly and indirectly) so far by increasing their agricultural output and income. These farmers have adopted best farming practices and various scientific interventions in their farms, which have been developed by different scientific institutions and laboratories in the country. A large farming community has also benefited through various training programmes and workshops conducted by Biotech-KISAN Hubs. The formation of Self Help Groups (SHGs) or Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) has also been promoted by Biotech-KISAN Hubs for developing viable marketing linkages of farmers’ produce.

Objectives:

The core activities of Biotech-KISAN Hub as follows:

  • Understanding the problems of the local farmer;
  • Scouting for available technologies and solutions to problems of farmers in the region;
  • Demonstration and scale-up programmes for implementing the solutions to the problems of farmers – addressing water, soil, seed and marketing issues;
  • Creation of strong Scientists-Farmers Interaction Platform and connectivity; training programmes for the farmer and immersion programmes for scientists;
  • Communication set up through radio and TV and connectivity through social media;
  • Individual thematic fellowship programmes for selected farmers in the zone at high-tech science laboratories;
  • Special solution-driven thematic fellowships to women farmers (Mahila Kisan Biotech Fellowship) to develop them as leaders and grass root scientists.

Success stories:

Biotech KISAN Scheme Guidelines

Contacts Concerned Officer for more Information

Programme Head Dr. Nitin Kumar Jain, Scientist G
Email nitink[dot]jain[at]nic[dot]in
Phone No. 011-24365972
Programme Officer Email Phone No.
Dr. Vinita Nitin Choudhary, Scientist E vinita[dot]chaudhary[at]nic[dot]in 011-24362885