Port Blair, Nov 05: Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has launched a farmer-centric Mission Programme Biotech-KISAN Hub (Biotech-Krishi Innovation Science Application Network), which links India’s farmers with Indian and global best in science for India’s future. The aim of the programme is to work with small and marginal farmers especially the woman farmers for better agriculture productivity through scientific intervention and evolving best farming practices by linking available science and technology to the farm by first understanding the problem of the local farmer and provide solutions to those problems. A total number of 36 Biotech-KISAN Hubs including CIAR-CIARI, Port Blair have been established so far, covering all 15 agro-climatic zones in the country and their activities implemented in total 169 districts including 112 Aspirational Districts. The hub of ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair is benefitting farmers with scientific interventions in rural poultry and goat farming through three KVKs and Regional station, Minicoy, Lakshadweep.
In this context of benefitting farmers through scientific interventions, a mega-event “Farmers-Scientists Connect Meet” was organized under “AzadikaAmritMahotsav” on October 28, 2021 (virtual mode) under the Biotech-KISAN Hubat ICAR-KVK, Port Blair and Car Nicobar and the programme was connected to the rest of the hubs, leading scientists and other beneficiaries farmers associated with Biotech-KISAN Hub at ICAR-IARI, New Delhi. The meet was was live streamed in which Hon’ble Minister of States for S&T, Dr. JitendraSingh addressed that DBT hub has the potential to upgrade and transform the agriculture sector for betterment. It’s a science meet which is enabling 75 districts and a total of 75000 farmers to interact and showcase their innovation and success. He mentioned farmers are continuously empowered with the help of schemes like, kisan pension scheme and credit benefit. He invited young people to come forward willingly optingagriculture as their profession. He appreciated that most of the beneficiaries of DBT hub are women and this proves that women farmers have great potential and great role to play in agriculture. He encouraged farmers to promote alternate farming and integrated farming approach to deal with fluctuations in agriculture.
A total of 90 farmers, SHG members, officials participated in the event at Port Blair and Car Nicobar. Lectures were also delivered by Dr. L.B. Singh, Dr. Zachariah George. Dr. PoojaKapoor and Mr. Tanmai Paul. Pamphlets were also distributed to the participants of the event. The event was organized under the Chairmanship of Dr. E.B. Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CIARI and team Biotech Kisan Hub, ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair.
