CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication & Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) has undertaken a major initiative for the dissemination of CSIR technologies for creating livelihood opportunities in rural areas in the wake of the situation created by Covid-19 pandemic. In this regard, a farmer-industry-scientist meet was organised at Indian Institute Of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP) Dehradun on May 30, 2022, to disseminate the Kisan Sabha App and Gur Bhatti (jaggery processing unit) technology to the farmers.
The objective was to disseminate Kisan Sabha application developed by CSIR-NIScPR and Gur Bhatti Technology developed by CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP), Dehradun for creating livelihood opportunities in rural areas; and also to develop the business opportunities for the farmers’ livelihood creation and enhance their income. In the meet, scientists, industrialists, financiers and farmers came together on a single platform to discuss all the opportunities and challenges.
On this occasion, Dr. Anjan Ray, Director, CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP), Dehradun, encouraged to organise such meetings that would help 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 listed out some of the CSIR-IIP’s technologies which could benefit the farmers.
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Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal, Director, CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication & Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR), New Delhi joined the meet online. She expressed her gratitude to the farmers and described the recent initiatives taken by CSIR-NIScPR towards livelihood creation and income generation in the rural areas through CSIR’s technologies. Further, she highlighted the success of Kisan Sabha and explained the potential of Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) network. She apprised of 82 technologies compendium selected for rural areas. She explained the importance and the benefits of the Gur Bhatti technology. Finally, she 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 help boost the dissemination of the technology using Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) network. As UBA has a large network of higher education institutions and provides the grassroot information about the problems of the rural areas. This information would help in the dissemination and deployment of the CSIR technologies in rural areas. He also emphasised that strong linkages should be developed between technology developers and adopters.
Dr. Pankaj Arya, Principal Scientist, CSIR-IIP emphasised that traditional Gur (jaggery) making process results in air pollution in the region 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 in the fuel cost by 15 per cent and increasing production by 25 per cent. He further listed multiple benefits of this technology, in particular, the increased life of the plant.
Dr. Farhat Azad, Principal Scientist, CSIR- NIScPR discussed the Kisan Sabha app and also demonstrated it in front of the farmers. The app was launched with the objective to uplift the livelihood of small and marginal farmers. Discussing about the dependency on middlemen and lack of information in the supply chain, she described the idea of Kisan Sabha app assimilating the idea of utilisation in agri supply chain. She further added various information channels and various options. The app can keep the farmers updated by continuously adding recent features.
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About eight lakhs farmers and numerous other stakeholders have joined the Kisan Sabha app. In addition, 3000 self-help groups (SHGs) are also joined in this app. The most important feature of this app it is available in 12 regional languages. She categorically mentioned to the farmers about the jaggery products are added in the Kisan Sabha.
A comprehensive presentation of the Central, state governments and NABARD initiatives towards funding for farmers was given by Bhupendra Kumawat, AGM, NABARD Dehradun. He mentioned about Kisan Credit Card (KCC), Deendayan Kisan Yojana, Agriculture Infrastructure Fund and various other schemes to facilitate farmers’ funding requirements for their needs.
Satya Prakash from Dhampure Specialty Sugars explained about the need of a marketing strategy to sell the products in the market. He emphasised on to make other products like Sirka that will enhance the income of the farmer.
Ajay Gairola discussed about the opportunities for farmers in the retail sector. He further emphasised the exploration of linkages between farmers and retailers which is yet less explored. In the concluding session, the meeting was concluded with the success stories of the farmers.
