Biotech-KISAN Scheme

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), which is regulated under the Ministry of Science and Technology has proposed the Biotech-Krishi Innovation Science Application Network (Biotech-KISAN) scheme for the welfare of the farmers. This scheme aims to work with small and marginal farmers for better agricultural productivity through scientific intervention and evolving best farming practices across the country. In this article, we look at the Biotech-KISAN scheme in detail.

Biotech-KISAN

Biotech-KISAN is a scientist-farmer partnership scheme developed for agriculture innovation through participatory research. The main objective of the Bio-KISAN scheme is to link science laboratories directly with the farmers in the state in order to create innovative technologies and applied at the farm level.

Objectives of the Scheme

The objectives of the biotech-KISAN scheme are listed below:

Biotech-Kisan is being implemented in 15 agro-climatic regions of India in a phased manner with the following objectives:
To link science and technology to the farm by understanding the problem of the small and marginal farmer and provide a solution to them.
To work together in close conjunction of scientists and farmers to improve the conditions of small and marginal farmers.
To enhance agriculture productivity through scientific intervention and evolving best farming practices throughout the country.

Salient Features

The salient farmers of the scheme are as follows:

Biotech-KISAN is a centric scheme which is developed by the biotechnology department, where scientist will work with farmers by understanding the problems and finding the solution to the farmer's issues.
The biotech-Kisan scheme aims to link farmers, scientists and science institutions all over the country through the network that identifies and helps to solve their issue in a cooperative manner.
Also, biotech-KISAN serves to support the women farmers/ entrepreneur in their small enterprises, making her a grass root innovator.
Mahila Biotech-KISAN fellowships programme was included under this scheme to train and educate the farm practices for women farmers.
Biotech KISAN will link farmers with science in the 15 agro-climatic regions of the country in a way, which constantly links problems with available solutions. In each of these 15 agro-climatic regions, a Farmer organisation will be the hub which is linked to different science labs, Krishi Vigyan Kendra and State Agriculture Universities co-located in the region. This hub will reach the farmers in the region and connect them to scientists and institutions.
The hub will consist of tinkering lab, communication cell and will organise training, workshops, awareness programmes to encourage innovation in the young as well as women farmers.

Eligibility Criteria

The below following criteria must be satisfied to participate under the scheme:

Any individual working in a public or private institution, university, foundation or society who has a good track of record of leading the projects in the area related to the farming.
The individual must be knowledgeable about the problems of farmers in partnership with 5-8 research institutions or universities.
Any institution which posses the necessary infrastructure facilities and is committed to undertaking the programs under farmer-oriented are eligible.

Note: The host institution applying for this scheme should overcome the following conditions:

A functional laboratory.
A certificate of performance either by farmers, DSIR recognition, ICAR, Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, voluntary NGO status or recognition for service to the farmer is required.
A report of financial and technical implementation of at least 2 projects financed by any government agencies related to dissemination of proposed technologies and training of a large number of farmers in skill development is necessary while applying for the scheme.