Biotech KISAN Programme

Biotech-KISAN scheme is a farmer centric scheme for farmers, developed by and with farmers. It is a Pan-India program, following a hub-and spoke model and stimulates entrepreneurship and innovation in farmers and empowers women.

• The Biotech- KISAN Hubs are expected to fulfill the technology requirement to generate agriculture and bio-resource related jobs and better livelihood ensuring biotechnological benefits to small and marginal farmers.
• Biotech-KISAN also has a unique feature to identify and promote local farm leadership in both genders. Such leadership helps to develop science based farming besides facilitating transfer of knowledge.
• So far a total of eight Biotech-KISAN Hubs in different Agro-climatic Zones have been supported.

Components of the Programme

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 Agri cultural 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.
2. Partnering Institutes: The activities of the partnering institute will include - Conduct training programmes for farmers in laboratories of scientific research institutions; Training programmes for scientists in agricultural farms, etc.
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 Programme for additional funding.
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.