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NEW DELHI: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh on Tuesday launched “Kisan Kavach”, Bharat’s indigenous and world’s first anti-pesticide bodysuit for farmers.
Designed to protect farmers from the harmful effects of pesticide exposure, this innovation marks a transformative step in ensuring farmer safety and aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of using science and technology to empower the agricultural community.
Highlighting the significance of the initiative while addressing the media at National Media Centre here today, Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that the Kisan Kavach is a groundbreaking solution addressing a critical gap in farmer safety. Developed by BRIC-inStem, Bangalore, in collaboration with Sepio Health Pvt. Ltd., the bodysuit offers protection against pesticide-induced toxicity, which often leads to severe health complications, including breathing disorders, vision loss, and, in extreme cases, death.
“Kisan Kavach is not just a product but a promise to our farmers to safeguard their health as they continue to feed the nation,” Dr. Jitendra Singh stated. The washable and reusable suit, priced at ₹4,000, can last up to a year and employs advanced fabric technology to deactivate harmful pesticides upon contact, ensuring farmer safety like never before.
Dr. Jitendra Singh commended the efforts of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and BRIC-inStem for spearheading the project and delivering a society-centric innovation. He highlighted the Modi Government’s sustained focus on integrating science, technology, and innovation to empower the agricultural sector, reflecting in initiatives such as Kisan Kavach and policies like the BioE3 biomanufacturing initiative.
“Over the last decade, the number of biotech startups in India has surged to over 8,500, putting us on track to achieve a $300 billion bioeconomy. With initiatives like Kisan Kavach, we are not only safeguarding our farmers but also advancing towards climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable development,” he added.
The manufacturing process involves covalent attachment of a nucleophile on cotton fabric, which is stitched as “Kisan Kavach®”. This Kisan Kavach fabric can deactivate pesticides upon contact through nucleophilic mediated hydrolysis, thereby preventing pesticide-induced toxicity and lethality. These findings are reported in the journal Nature Communications, (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-49167-3)
The event also saw the distribution of the first batch of Kisan Kavach suits to farmers, marking a significant step in protecting the 65% of India’s population engaged in agriculture. Dr. Jitendra Singh assured that as production scales up, the suit’s affordability will increase, making it accessible to more farmers nationwide.
Dr. Jitendra Singh concluded by reiterating the government’s commitment to leveraging science for societal good, calling Kisan Kavach a beacon of hope for India’s agricultural community. “This transformative technology not only addresses an urgent need but also showcases India’s capability to innovate for its people,” he said.
The event was graced by the presence of Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology; Dr. Maneesha Inamdar, Director, BRIC-inStem; and Dr. Alka Sharma, Scientist ‘H’ and Senior Adviser, DBT, who highlighted the collaborative efforts behind this transformative innovation.
