CSIR-NIScPR & CSIR-IIP Organizes Farmer-Industry-Scientist Meet

CSIR-NIScPR has recently launched a major initiative to disseminate CSIR technologies in order to create livelihood opportunities in rural areas. In this regard, a farmer-industry-scientist meeting was held on 30 May 2022 at Lovraj Auditorium, CSIR-IIP Dehradun to disseminate the Kisan Sabha App and Gur Bhatti Technology to farmers.

The goal was to disseminate the Kisan Sabha application developed by CSIR-NIScPR and the Gur Bhatti Technology developed by CSIR IIP Dehradun for creating livelihood opportunities in rural areas, as well as to develop business opportunities for farmers' livelihood creation and income enhancement. Scientists, industrialists, financiers, and farmers gathered on one platform to discuss all of the opportunities and challenges.

Dr. Anjan Ray, Director of the CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP), Dehradun, encouraged the organization of such meetings to help ensure the economic security and health of rural people. He emphasized the need for increased production with limited resources, as well as minimizing the environmental impacts of the process, and he listed some of the CSIR-technologies IIP's that could benefit farmers. He thanked the farmers for their attendance at the meeting.

Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal, Director, CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR), New Delhi, participated in the online meeting. She expressed her gratitude to the farmers and described recent initiatives undertaken by CSIR-NIScPR to create livelihoods and generate income in rural areas using CSIR-Technologies. She also emphasized the success of Kisan Sabha and explained the potential of the UBA network. She informed them of an 82-technology compendium chosen for rural areas. She discussed the significance and benefits of the Gur Bhatti technology. Finally, she assured the farmers of CSIR's full support.

Dr. Yogesh Suman, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR, discussed the significance of the meeting in resolving the issues that farmers face. This exercise will aid in the dissemination of technology through the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) Network. UBA has a large network of higher education institutions and provides grassroots information about rural problems. This data would aid in the dissemination and deployment of CSIR technologies in rural areas. He also emphasized the importance of forging strong bonds between technology developers and adopters.

Dr. Pankaj Arya, Principal Scientist at CSIR-IIP, emphasized the need for advanced technology solutions because the traditional Gur making process causes air pollution in the region. In light of this, CSIR-IIP has developed advanced, simple, and affordable Gur Bhatti technology that not only reduces pollutant emissions but also increases the efficiency of the Gur Bhatti by reducing fuel costs by 15% and increasing output by 25%. He went on to list several advantages of this technology, including increased plant life.

Dr. Farhat Azad, Principal Scientist, CSIR- NIScPR, spoke with the farmers about the Kisan Sabha App and demonstrated it to them. The app was created with the goal of improving the livelihoods of small and marginal farmers. She described the Kisan Sabha App, which incorporates the concept of utilization in the agri-supply chain while discussing the reliance on middlemen and the lack of information in the supply chain. She also included various information channels and options. The app can keep farmers up to date by constantly adding new features.

The Kisan Sabha App has been downloaded by over 8 lakh farmers and other stakeholders. In addition, 3000 SHGs have joined this App. The fact that this app is available in 12 regional languages is its most important feature. She made it clear to the farmers that jaggery products would be included in the Kisan Sabha.

Bhupendra Kumawat, AGM, NABARD Dehradun, gave a comprehensive presentation of the central/state governments' and NABARD's initiatives for farmer funding. He mentioned Kisan Credit Card, Deendayan Kisan Yojana, Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, and other schemes to help farmers with their funding needs.

Dhampure Specialty Sugars Ltd's Satya Prakash explained the importance of a marketing strategy in selling the product in the market. He emphasized the importance of producing other products such as Sirka, which will increase the farmer's income.

Ajay Gairola spoke about the retail opportunities available to farmers. He also emphasized the importance of exploring links between farmers and retailers, which are currently underutilized. The meeting concluded with the farmers' success stories in the closing session.