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VIB is located in the predominantly agrarian
Sundarban region of WestBengal. The Institute has a very special mandate: it
was initiated by Sri Ramkrishna Ashram so that the local farming
communities could benefit from scientific inputs in the field of
Biotechnology. VIB has well-equipped laboratories
for soil testing. Tissue Culture and Microbiology. These facilities have been
indispensable for research, dissemination, training and providing
extension services in the field of biotechnology. Over the years, VIB has built
a strong relationship with the local agricultural communities. As a
result, it has intimate knowledge of the challenges being faced by farmers and
has striven to address them. For instance, the institute’s efforts have
helped some farmers realize how their lands and lowered productivity. VIB has
been trying to convince the agricultural community about the
benefits of choosing fertilizers based on scientific soil testing and some
farmers have gained significantly
by adopting this approach.VIB expects that such positive changes will
have a powerful ‘ripple-effect’ in this area and many more farmers
will follow suit. Some other VIB projects include the collection and
maintenance of different microbial strains, production of bio-fertilisers, as
well as the use of Neem for developing
bio-pesticides. The Tissue Culture Laboratory has been engaged in
the production of banana plantlets and these are being distributed in the West
Bengal and Tripura. VIB is of the view that farmers, particularly
the current generation of educated ones, can profit from the use of
technology. VIB has been exploring the possibilities of conducting
training programmes in Biotechnology for educating young men and women,
particularly those who come from rural background. VIB believes that armed
with some basic skills, they could earn a decent living for themselves
by providing their specialized services and agricultural inputs to
farmers. These could include soil-testing and fertilizer recommendation as well
as production and distribution of organic compost and
bio-fertilisers.
Trade: Agricultural Biotechnology The
Institute is engaged in conducting research and development and promotion of
the concept of farming with biotechnology as a potential tool in
profitable and sustainable agriculture. The Institution has already implemented
DBT, GOI sponsored project on “Technology Development
and Demonstration Project on Blue Green Alage – Azolla (a
biofertiliser)”. The Institute is engaged in implementing the concept of
integrated nutrient management using biofertilisers at the grass
roots level. The Institute is well equipped with the facilities to
undertake training programmes on biotechnology areas. VIB has conducted
skill development training programmes by DST in the area of
bio-fertiliser technology. Rural location of the Institute, expertise,
infrastructure and linkages with the grass roots level make and
ideal Institution to undertake training programmes on Agricultural
biotechnology. VIB has been an implementing partner in Phase 1 of
the VoTEG Project.
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