Farmer-scientist meet in Kolkata on upgrade skill on farmers
Times of India | 24 July 2024The Biotech KISAN-Hub project with financial support by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, has been transforming the lives of farmers in the state.Marginal farmers from five aspirational districts of Birbhum, Nadia, Murshidabad, Malda and South Dinajpur were selected for the interaction on Sunday.
In his inaugural speech Swapan Debnath, minister-in-charge, Animal Resources Development Department, Govt. Of West Bengal said that the project was initiated in Bengal in 2017 to improve the lives of women farmers in Sundarbans. In 2019, the project was expanded to five aspirational districts.
Around 300 farmers from the five districts and 50 university teachers, scientists, students and government officials were part of the meet on Sunday.
WBUAFS Vice-Chancellor Professor Shyam Sundar Dana said such initiative was aimed at increasing knowledge and skill among farmers by adopting information technology on animal and fish farming.
During the event superior quality Bengal black goats and Vanraja chicks and Indian major carps were distributed to the farmers. Sources said that various biotechnological activities have been initiated for farmers involved in animal rearing and fish farming in West Bengal. Regular communication with farmers and animal keepers on vaccination of animals along with the treatment of diseases are being extended to them.
“Various social media platforms and mobile apps are used to connect the farmers on scientific methods of rearing animals. Moreover, Kisan Barta, a news journal published under this project has also gained great popularity among marginal farmers,” said Dr Keshab Chandra Dhara, the Principal Investigator of the project.
Among those present in the meet included Chandranath Sinha, minister in charge of Small and Medium Textile Industries, Dr Hema Tripathi, associate director Extension, Sher-e Kashmir University of Agriculture Sciences and Technology, and Dr Manoj Kumar Modi, Scientist F, Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, Madan Maiti, poultry industrialist, Dr Yogaraj Tamang, Director, Animal Resources Development Department, Government of West Bengal.
