India, Aug. 12 -- The Government of India has issued a release:
The Government, through Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), have been actively promoting technology transfer, rural innovation and scientific solutions to address livelihood challenges in agriculture-dependent regions across the country.
Through its competitive diverse schemes and programmes, efforts are being made by DST to empower the communities by adopting technologies to address locally defined needs and priorities through improved resource-use efficiency, sustainable management of environmental resources, reduction of waste and pollution, and development of locally adaptable solutions contributing to sustainable agricultural practices and rural livelihoods. The projects supported by DST are strengthening human capacities, institutional capacities and technology deployment. The details of some of the initiatives from DST and DBT are given in Annexure I.
CSIR laboratories drive rural innovation and technology transfer through diverse missions. The details of these missions are given in Annexure II.
During the past three years, the Government has implemented several technology demonstration projects across different regions of the country, including the Khajuraho Lok Sabha region.
DST has established SC/ST Cell at the Madhya Pradesh Council of Science & Technology in March 2026. The Cell will serve as a dedicated mechanism for:
The Cell's activities will extend to 20 districts in Madhya Pradesh, with special focus on SC-dominated areas such as Chhatarpur, thereby ensuring inclusive and sustainable development outcomes.
CSIR has already supported the following activities in the region:
In total, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP) organized 13 Kisan Melas, in which more than 33,700 farmers, entrepreneurs and industry representatives participated. During the last five years, 150 skill-cum-technology up-gradation programmes were organized in different States of the country, in which around 7,863 farmers/entrepreneurs and women participated, and 192 one-day awareness programmes were also organized, in which about 10,000 farmers participated from different States of the country.
The Department of Science & Technology (DST) and the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) implement science and technology-based development programmes on a PAN-India basis. The Government is committed to expand technology-driven livelihood opportunities and provide scientific support for agriculture and rural enterprises across the country, including the Khajuraho Lok Sabha region.
DST supports competitive, merit-based research and innovation projects through its various schemes nationwide, with equal access for institutions and researchers in Khajuraho. Calls for proposals under these schemes are published on the DST website and the EPMS portal. Eligible institutions and researchers from the region may apply and avail support, subject to scheme provisions and selection through the prescribed merit-based evaluation process. (Link for DST schemes- https://dst.gov.in/schemes-programmes).
Annexure I
(I) Department of Science and Technology (DST)
Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune promote rural innovation and technology transfer by developing climate-resilient crop varieties, decentralized bioenergy solutions, and disease-detection kits that directly combat agricultural livelihood challenges.
Climate-Resilient Crop Development
Bioenergy and Rural Waste Solutions
Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru has developed Nanomatrix for Delivery of Semiochemicals, specifically the Development of Nanomatrix for Pheromone Release, an ordered mesoporous silica nanomatrix used as a slow-release dispenser for red palm weevil pheromones. The technology helps farmers control red palm weevil infestation in coconut plantations through a special trap that provides longer pheromone release, requires less pheromone and reduces the frequency of replacement. The technology has been jointly developed by JNCASR and ICAR. The technology scaled down the reliance on chemical pesticides, promoting environmentally sustainable practices and deployed in more than 5000 acres in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati has structured a strict Technology Transfer Policy that manages intellectual property protection, patent filing, and licensing agreements through Technology Transfer Cell (TTC) ensuring laboratory breakthroughs are seamlessly scaled up into market-ready, commercial entities. IASST Social Venture & Entrepreneurship Council (ISVEC) and its BioNEST incubator provide legal validation, business mentoring, and technical infrastructure for agritech and biotech startups and the institute collaborates with major corporate entities to monetize indigenous bio-resources. For instance, IASST through Village Adoption Programme, Integration of Indigenous Knowledge (ITKs) and Self-Help Group (SHG) support promote rural innovation. Significant scientific solutions for livelihood challenges developed by IASST are given below:
National Innovation Foundation - India (NIF), Ahmedabad actively works across various States to identify local challenges and deploy relevant grassroots innovations focused on livelihood enhancement, drudgery reduction and improving output and efficiency. NIF organises demonstrations and hands-on training programmes for beneficiaries in collaboration with local partners.
North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR), Shillong promotes technology transfer and rural innovation through technology-driven interventions in collaboration with leading national institutions. These include technology transfer for banana pseudostem value addition under the PM-DevINE (Prime Minister's Development Initiative for North Eastern Region) scheme, transfer of Banana Fibre-based Vegan Leather Technology from CSIR-NIIST (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research - National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology) and Banana Yarn Making Technology from ICAR-NINFET (Indian Council of Agricultural Research - National Institute of Natural Fibre Engineering and Technology). Efforts also encompass the establishment of a Technology Demonstration Centre, deployment of Mobile Processing Units for fruits and vegetables, and installation of solar dehydrators. Additionally, promotion of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and support for grassroots technologies such as low-cost pineapple peeling, manual broom binding, Hydraulic Ram Pumps, and Vasundhara Soil Organic Carbon Detection Technology are being prioritized for sustainable agriculture and rural livelihood enhancement.
The Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) Mohali developed nanotech solutions for agriculture, including nano-fertilisers and targeted nutrient delivery, smart agri-sensors, and safer food preservation wrappers. INST drives regional and national impact via collaborative R&D, industry joint projects, and educational rural outreach programs. Details of Scientific Solutions in Agriculture developed by INST are given below
(II) Department of Biotechnology (DBT)
Annnexure II
CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Lucknow develops and transfers technologies for medicinal and aromatic crops cultivation, quality planting material, post-harvest processing, value addition, distillation technologies, skill development, market linkages and entrepreneurship to enhance farmers' income, promote climate-resilient agriculture and generate rural employment under various projects.
CSIR-CIMAP, Lucknow is also promoting medicinal and aromatic plants cultivation among farmers by organizing skill development, training, awareness programs and Kisan Melas, etc.
CSIR has put its efforts in developing a suite of advanced technologies under its national mission on 'Region Specific Smart Agro-Technologies for Soil and Plant Health (RSSA)'. These technologies include digital soil intelligence systems, AI-powered disease diagnostics, variable-rate fertiliser application, IoT-based climate monitoring systems, UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle)-enabled crop analytics, and soil nutrient sensing solutions specifically designed for Indian agricultural conditions.
CSIR- Central Salt & Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI)'s commercially licensed seaweed biostimulant technologies, including Kappaphycus- and Sargassum-based products, presently account for an estimated 18-20% of the Indian seaweed biostimulant market, representing a business value of approximately Rs.360-400 crore. Field evaluations have further demonstrated substantial economic benefits to farmers, providing an incremental return up to Rs.9,403 per hectare through improved crop productivity and input-use efficiency.
CSIR implemented a Mission Mode Project on "Smart Village" in October 2025. The project aimed to transform rural India through advanced technology, improved infrastructure, and sustainable development practices. It creates model Smart Villages across diverse geographical regions-including Gujarat, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Rajasthan-by deploying cutting-edge CSIR technologies and eco-friendly solutions that address the unique challenges faced by rural communities.
This information was given by the Minister of State (Ind. Charge) Science & Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State PMO; Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Department of Atomic Energy and Space Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
