Biotech-Krishi Innovation Science Application Network (Biotech-KISAN) is a Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology’s initiative to empower farmers, especially women farmers. DBT’s Biotech-KISAN Scheme aims to understand the problems faced by farmers and offer simple solutions to such problems. It is pan India scheme that has a hub and spoke model which stimulates entrepreneurship and innovation among farmers. The Biotech- KISAN hubs are expected to fulfill the technological needs of farmers, generate agriculture and bio-resource related jobs, better livelihood opportunities and make certain biotechnological benefits reach to small and marginal farmers of the country. The scheme has also has a unique feature to identify and promote local farm leadership involved in developing science based farming practices and facilitate transfer of knowledge. Other major objective of the Biotech-KISAN hubs is to support eco-friendly biofertilizers and bio-pesticides for soil and crop management, to impart knowledge and skills among farmers on bio-inputs, soil health management and water quality and to improve rural livelihood. Biotech-KISAN Hub will be implemented in 15 agro-climatic zones of India in phased manner with the objective:
1. Linking available science and technology to the farm by first understanding the problem of the local farmer and provide solutions to those problems.
2. The working together, in close conjunction, of scientists and farmers is the only way to improve the working conditions of small and marginal farmers.
3. This programme aims to work with small and marginal farmers especially the woman farmer for better agriculture productivity through scientific intervention and evolving best farming practices in the Indian context.

Components of the programme:

A. 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

Scouting for available technologies and solutions to problems of farmers in the region

Demonstration and scale-up programmes for implementing the solutions to the problems of farmers – addressing water, soil, seed and marketing issues

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

B. Partnering Institutes: The activities of the partnering institute will include:
i. 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.

ii. 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 scientists working in scientific institutions / State Agriculture Universities (SAUs) / KVKs will be eligible for training