ANNUAL REPORT - Department of Biotechnology

Fruiting in Dhingri bags
Network Programme for Prasad Kit
Under the Network Project for Prasad Kit, emphasis
was given on involvement of community in
preparation of offerings using local bioresources and
negotiations with authorities of local shrines for
marketing. Over 150 local people got employment
through five ongoing projects around major shrines
like Male Mahadeshwara Temple & Biligiri Rangan
Temple at Bangalore in Karnataka, Sri Bade
Haniman Ji shrines & Hanuman Temple at
Allahabad, U.P., Kaliyar Sharif Dargah, Udhampur
and churches of Thrissur. Through project supported
at Ashoka Trust for Reseacrh in Energy &
Environment (ATREE), Bangalore, women from 56
SHGs from Male Mahadeshwara Hills (MM Hills)
and 17 SHGs from Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple
(BRT) were trained in ladoo preparation, raising
nurseries of sacred plants including sixteen native
species. In another project supported to Parivartan
Vikas Sansthan, Udamsingh Nagar, Uttaranchal, 60
women from 4 villages around Kaliyar Sharif Dargha
were trained in preparation of sweet bread, the
traditional tabarruk, ladoos from maize and rice. The
beneficiaries were also trained in incense making as
well as candle making. Waqf Board of Dargah
assured the marketing of all the products prepared
by these women. It is expected that 5 new projects
will be supported during this year.
Programme for Rehabilitation of Tsunami
Affected People
After the Tsunami disaster in December 2004, the
DBT Annual Report 2006-07
140
department supported 6 projects for rehabilitation of
Tsunami affected people and the area. These
projects were able to provide employment
opportunities to affected people at Tamilnadu,
Pondicherry and Andaman & Nicobar Islands
through softer biotechnology packages like
cultivation of horticulture crops, vegetable, seaweed,
poultry & goat rearing etc. Over 600 people were
trained in various technologies and setting up their
own units for sustainable employment. The project
supported for prevention of outbreak of Malaria after
Tsunami attack had made a significant impact to the
people at Car Nicobar. The project supported for ecorestoration
of devastated coastal land at Andaman
Islands is an attempt to provide bioshield for the
coastal line. The beneficiaries trained for softer
biotechnologies for economic empowerment through
poultry rearing, seaweed cultivation and organic
farming have already started earning a good amount
through the sale of their produce.
Programmes for Rural Areas
Biotechnology-based Programme for rural areas has
benefited around 35,000 people through 30 ongoing
projects and 8 new ones during the year. The projects
supported cover cultivation of medicinal and
aromatic plants, production of biofertilizers and
biopesticides, organic farming, aquaculture and
ornamental fish breeding, mushroom cultivation,
genetic counseling, bee keeping and product
development 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.
Ornamental Fish Breeding
An integrated aquafarming project was undertaken
at two districts namely Puri and Khurda of Orissa by
undertaking activity in water spread area of about 6.9
ha. Fish-poultry activity was undertaken with
mushroom, vegetable cultivation and plantation of
crop like banana and drumstick. Ornamental fish
breeding units were set up through introduction of
live bearers such as Guppy, Balloon molly, Black
molly, Sword tail and egg layers like Gold fish, Rosy
barb and Gourami. Training programmes were