New Delhi: The Department of Biotechnology has sponsored fifty-one (51) Biotech-Kisan centres, out of which forty-four (44) are functional, Union Minister Jitendra Singh's statement on Wednesday.

These centres are spread across 15 agro-climatic regions of the nation and operate in 169 districts.

Dr. Jitendra Singh stated in a written response to a question in the Lok Sabha that the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) is carrying out a mission programme called the "Biotech-Krishi Innovation Science Application Network" that is focused on farmers (Biotech-KISAN). The programme links top scientists and institutions with Indian farmers.

Through scientific intervention and the development of optimal farming practises, the programme  aims to engage with small and marginal farmers to improve agricultural productivity.

"The core activities of the programme are understanding the issues of the local farmer, scouting available technologies/solutions, demonstration and scale-up programmes, creation of strong Scientists-Farmers Interaction Platform; training programmes for the farmer and immersion programmes for scientists, communication through radio/TV and social media, thematic fellowship for selected farmers, and special solution-driven thematic fellowships to women farmers,"  read an official statement by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

The program's intended outcomes include the development of bio-based businesses in rural areas and an increase in farmer income through technological interventions. More than four lakh farmers have benefited from the initiative (directly or indirectly) by having their agricultural output and income rise. The programme is also  successful in fostering 200 rural entrepreneurs. The Department has supported the programme with funding totaling Rs. 9554.146 lakhs as of this writing, the statement said.

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