ANNUAL REPORT - Department of Biotechnology

Programmes for SC and ST Population
Biotechnology-based Programme for SC/ST
population has benefited around 65,000 people
through 50 ongoing projects and 12 new ones during
the year. The projects supported cover cultivation of
medicinal and aromatic plants, production of
biofertilizers and biopesticides, organic farming,
aquaculture, mushroom cultivation as well as human
healthcare interventions etc. Universities, Krishi
Vigyan Kendras and voluntary/non-governmental
organizations have been involved in the
implementation of the projects. The target group
received the benefit of hands-on training and field
demonstrations to bring greater awareness. Salient
achievements of the programme are as follows:
Integrated Aquaculture
Activities on integrated aquaculture were undertaken
through awareness programme conducted for the
farmers in West Bengal. Farmers were trained in
maintaining the ducks, poultry birds, pigs in
integration with fish culture in addition to their
domestic farm based activities. Around 3500 families
were benefited through integrated fish farming.
Integrated scampi-fish culture was undertaken in
Allahabad district through small scale production of
prawn seeds at the hatchery. Villagers were trained
on technicalities of seed production and freshwater
prawn culture. Honey production was also taken up
to help target population in additional income
generation. Farmers were trained on technologies
through monoculture and polyculture at
Palayamkottai in Tamil Nadu. Different species of
murrels, Channa striatus, C. punctatus and C.
micropeltus, were collected and successfully breed.
Breeding and feeding technologies developed were
standardized and disseminated to the beneficiaries.
Cage culture activity was taken up for rearing of
fingerlings in the reservoir with faster growth, high
survival and reduces transportation losses and cost
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Biotechnology for Societal Development
of large size fish seed. Technology on floating cages
was demonstrated through installation in Halali
Reservoir in Bhopal with effective utilization of feed to
benefit cooperative societies/self help groups,
graduate and postgraduate entrepreneurs.
Techniques of crab and lobster fattening were
disseminated in coastal villages of Tamil Nadu as
viable alternative livelihood. The activity was
extended for post tsunami rehabilitation
programmes. About 1000 farmers have been
benefited through the implementation of the projects.
Fattening techniques transferred to fisher folk helped
to sustain income generation by coastal villages.
DRDA has taken up the extension of the activity
through establishment of crab fattening unit for
dissemination of technological know-how. Model
crab fattening units were replicated in Pudukottai
District and 60 women were trained. Around 261 fish
farmers benefited through implementation of the
programme.
Techno-economically feasible treatment of parboil
rice mill waste followed by recycling through
aquaculture was taken up in Gondia District in
Maharashtra with a view to generate additional
Harvesting of fish and prawn of
a polyculture pond in Mysore
Biotechnology for Societal Development