About DBT Biotech-KISAN Hub
Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. of India has launched the prestigious Biotech-Krishi Innovation Science Application Network (Biotech-KISAN) Hub in 2017. DBT Biotech-KISAN Hub is a scientist-farmer partnership scheme to bring in available science and technology to the farm. The scientists are required to first understand the problem of the local farmers and provide solutions to those problems. The scheme aims to connect science laboratories and the farms and expose farmers to the scientific solutions. The major focus is 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. The project also focuses on demonstration and scale-up programmes for implementing the solutions to the farmers problems like water, soil, seed, diseases and marketing issues and to set up communication through mass/print media and social media.
The Department of Horticulture, Aromatic and Medicinal Plants (HAMP), Mizoram University received this prestigious scheme vide DBT letter No.BT/KIS/123/SP45291/2022 dated 15.03.2022 with a grant of Rs. 239.40 lakh for a period of 2 years.
The project is being implemented in coordination with Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) located in Champhai (Khawzawl), Lawngtlai, Kolasib, Lunglei (Hnahthial), Serchhip and Aizawl districts of Mizoram. The overall objectives of the project are:
- Demonstration of round-the-year vegetable cultivation (both protected cultivations using low-cost bamboo-based polyhouses and open cultivation) in farmers’ field in six districts of Mizoram. Multiple disease-resistant high-yielding varieties of vegetables to be used in all demonstrations.
- Demonstration of improved production and post-harvest processing of spice crops (turmeric and ginger) in farmers’ field in six districts of Mizoram.
Mizoram University is a central University established by an Act of Parliament (Act No. 8 of 2000). The University is located in Aizawl, the capital city of Mizoram and is spread over 978.1988 acres in an area on the outskirts of the city. The University was accredited ‘A’ grade by NAAC in 2019. The University was ranked as one of the top 100 Universities in India, assessed by the NIRF rankings in 2016, 2017 and 2018 under MHRD. The University has 33 functioning academic departments offering UG, PG, M.Phil. and Ph.D. programmes under 8 Schools of Study. The University has 35 affiliated colleges and one constituent college.
The department of Horticulture, Aromatic and Medicinal Plants (HAMP) was established on Mizoram University Campus in the year 2007. The department has specialization in the exploitation of genetic diversity of many indigenous underutilized horticultural crops of the region, their domestication & development of cultivation technologies in addition to development of post-harvest technologies of many horticultural crops. The teaching & R&D work in the department is aimed to cater towards the potential of Horticultural and MAP crops including improvement of cultivation practices, bioprospecting and post harvesting technology; to address the challenges and needs for the development of herbal sector in the state as well as in the country.
Area of Activity
The project is being implemented by Mizoram University, Aizawl as DBT Biotech KISAN Hub and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) located in Champhai (Khawzawl), Lawngtlai, Kolasib, Lunglei (Hnahthial), Serchhip and Aizawl districts of Mizoram.
