Biotech-KISAN Scheme 2016-17

Components of the Scheme:

The scheme will provide following components:

1. The Hub: Establishment of Biotech-KISAN Hub in each of 15 agro-climatic zones of the country under the leadership of a champion, who will act as a Facilitator. Each Hub will create a network by developing strong linkages with top quality scientific institutions / State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) / Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) / existing state agriculture extension services / system and other Farmers’ organizations in the region as well as linkages with leading international institutions / organizations. Biotech-KISAN Hub will have a tinkering laboratory. The core activities of the Hub will include:
   • Understanding the problems of the local farmer;
   •  Demonstration and scale-up programmes for implementing the solutions to the problems of farmers – addressing water, soil, seed and marketing issues;·Scouting for available technologies and solutions to problems of farmers in the region;
   • 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. The hub and its facilitator will partner with at least 3 institutions / KVKs etc. and should enter into agreement with each of the collaborating partner / institution with defined contribution for achieving the envisaged objectives. For each partner Institute, it will be mandatory to participate with the hub and its activities and for this a separate budget would be provided for each of them.
2. Partnering Institutes: The activities of the partnering institute will include:
   1. Conduct training programmes for farmers in laboratories of scientific research institutions
      • Expose farmers to leading science laboratories to develop them as scientific leaders at grass root level;
      • Provide solution and support to agriculture problems related to water, soil, seed, diseases and marketing issues in respective areas;
      • The subject and scope of training programme will include good agriculture practices;
      • The duration of the training will be 5 to 10 days;
      • The small and marginal farmers having qualification of high school / intermediate, preferably in science subjects will be eligible for training. The actual cost of the training programme will be decided based on the number of trainees and the subject areas.
   2. Training programmes for scientists in agricultural farms
      • The training programme or immersion of scientists in agricultural farms with a view to better understand the problems of farmers at ground level and address / implement solutions.
      • The subject and scope of training programme will include study on the problems being faced by farmers in their farms related to water management, nutrient and pest / disease management, storage and marketing issues and their linkages with already available possible solutions in science laboratories, on-farm innovative ideas and research being practiced by farmers for their agriculture problems at grass root level and their validation etc.
      • The duration of the training may be 10 to 15 days.
      • The scientists working in scientific institutions / State Agriculture Universities (SAUs) / KVKs will be eligible for training.
3. Research projects: If scientists during the course of these programmes identify a problem, which would require larger funding; it would be possible for them to submit the research project proposal to the scheme for additional funding. The proposal will be considered by the relevant Expert Committee / Task Force of the scheme and based on the genesis of the project and the solution hypothesised, additional funds may be provided.
4. International Training:
   • Short-term Training (STT) Programmes will be developed by DBT in partnership with international organisations / universities, where Farmers will be exposed to best global farm management and practices.
   • Depending on the activities carried out by scientists/farmers in India; selected groups will be sponsored by DBT for international STT. The current collaborating universities are Cambridge University, UK; Wageningen University, Netherlands and others are likely to be added.