Recently CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR), New Delhi,has undertaken a major initiative to disseminate CSIR technologies for creating livelihood opportunities in rural areas in the wake of the situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Taking this forward,a farmer-industry-scientist meet was organised at Lovraj Auditorium, CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum(CSIR-IIP), Dehradun, on 30 May 2022.
The programmeaimedat disseminatingthe KisanSabha application developed by CSIR-NIScPR and Gur Bhatti Technology by CSIR-IIP to develop business opportunities for farmers’ livelihood creation thereby enhancing their incometoo. The programme brought together the scientists, industrialists, financers and farmers on a single platform to discuss all the opportunities and challenges.
During his talk, DrAnjanRay, Director, CSIR-IIP, encouraged to organise such meetings that will help to ensure the economic security and health of rural people. He asserted the need for enhanced production with limited resources as well as to minimise the environmental impacts of the process. He also listed out some of the CSIR-IIP’s Technologies which could benefit the farmers. He further expressed his gratitude to the farmers for attending the meet.
Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal, Director, CSIR-NIScPR,joined the event online and described the recent initiatives taken by CSIR-NIScPR towards livelihood creation and income generation in the rural areas through CSIR-Technologies. Further,highlighting the success of KisanSabhashe explained the potential of the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan(UBA) network. She alsoapprisedof 82 technologies compendium selected for rural areas. She further discussed the importance and benefits of the Gur Bhatti technology and finally assured the full support of CSIR to the farmers.
Dr Yogesh Suman, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR, discussed the importance of the meet to sort out the challenges faced by the farmers. This exercise will boost the dissemination of the technology using the UBA Network which has a network of higher education institutions and provides grass-root information about the problems of the rural areas. This information would help inthe dissemination and deployment of the CSIR technologies in rural areas. He also emphasised that strong linkages should also be developed between technology developers and adopters.
Dr Pankaj Arya, Principal Scientist, CSIR-IIP,emphasised that the traditional Gur making process results in air pollution and expressed the need for advanced technology solutions. In view of this, CSIR-IIP has developed advanced, simple and affordable Gur Bhatti technology that not only reduces the emission of pollutants but also increases the efficiency of the Gur Bhatti by reducing the fuel cost by 15% and increasing production by 25%. He further listed multiple benefits of this technology, in particular, the increased life of the plant.
Dr Farhat Azad, Principal Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR, discussed and demonstrated the KisanSabha App that was launched to uplift the livelihood of small and marginal farmers. Discussing the dependency on the middle man and lack of informationin the supply chain, she described the idea of the KisanSabha App and its use in the agri-supply chain. The App can keep the farmers updated by continuously adding new features. Most importantly the app is available in 12 regional languages. About eight lakh farmers and other stakeholders have joined the KisanSabha App. In addition, 3000 SHGs have also joined.Later, DrFarhat categorically mentioned the jaggery products added in the KisanSabha.
During his presentation, Shri BhupendraKumawat, AGM, NABARD, Dehradun, informed aboutcentral/state government and NABARD initiativestowards funding for farmers. He also mentioned Kisan Credit Card, DeendayanKisanYojana, Agriculture Infrastructure Fund and various other schemes to facilitate farmers’ funding requirements.
Shri Satya Prakash from Dhampure Specialty Sugars Ltd explained the need for the marketing strategy to sell the product in the market. He emphasisedon making other products like Sirka that will also enhance the income of the farmer.
Shi Ajay Gairola discussed the opportunities for farmers in the retail sector. He further emphasised the exploration of linkages between farmers and retailers which are yet less explored. In the concluding session, the meeting was concluded with the success stories of the farmers.
