Biotech- KISAN launched by Government of India
Biotech-KISAN was recently launched by the
government. It is a new programme that empowers farmers, especially women
farmers. It is a Farmer centric scheme launched by of the Department of
Biotechnology.
- 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.
Aim: To link farmers, scientists and science
institutions across the country in a network that identifies and helps solve
their problems in a cooperative manner.
Details:
- The scheme includes the Mahila Biotech- KISAN
fellowships, for training and education in farm practices, for women
farmers. The Scheme also aims to support the women farmers/ entrepreneur
in their small enterprises, making her a grass root innovator.
- Biotech-KISAN will connect farmers to best global
practices; training workshops will be held in India and other countries.
Farmers and Scientists will partner across the globe.
- The scheme is targeted towards the least educated
marginalised farmer; Scientists will spend time on farms and link
communication tools to soil, water seed and market. The aim is to
understand individual problems of the smallholding farmers and provide
ready solutions.
- Biotech KISAN will connect farmers with science in
the 15 agro-climatic zones of the country in a manner, which constantly
links problems with available solutions. In each of these 15 regions, a
Farmer organisation will be the hub connected to different science labs,
Krishi Vigyan Kendra and State Agriculture Universities co-located in the
region. The hub will reach out to the farmers in the region and connect
them to scientists and institutions.
- The hub will have tinkering lab, communication cell
and will run year-long training, awareness, workshops and which will act
as education demonstration units to encourage grass root innovation in the
young as well as women farmers.
There will be a communication set-up to make
radio and TV programmes for local stations, as well as daily connectivity
through social media.
