₹50-crore bio-economy mission proposed for Kalyana Karnataka

Minister for Home, IT, Biotechnology and e-Governance Priyank Kharge said implementation of the proposal is subject to preparation of a detailed project report (DPR), a feasibility study, and approval by the government of Karnataka.

The Karnataka government is planning to launch ‘Kalaburagi Bio-Economy Mission 2026’, a three-year initiative with an estimated investment of ₹50 crore, to harness the region’s indigenous biological resources, improve agricultural productivity, increase farmers’ income, and create new employment and entrepreneurial opportunities in rural areas.

Minister for Home, IT, Biotechnology and e-Governance Priyank Kharge, who is in charge of the district, said the proposed mission, conceptualised by the Bengaluru Bioinnovation Centre (BBC), would cover all seven districts of Kalyana Karnataka – Kalaburagi, Bidar, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, Ballari, and Vijayanagara. Kalaburagi is proposed to be developed as the principal centre for the initiative.

The mission aims to identify the region’s diverse plant resources, indigenous crops, microorganisms, and other agriculture-related biological resources, and use modern biotechnology to develop agricultural solutions, value-added products, and local manufacturing enterprises.

The proposed mission will focus on six major areas:

Under biological crop protection, the programme proposes to develop bio-based solutions to control wilt disease in tur, anthracnose disease in chilli, and thrips infestation. The initiative is intended to reduce dependence on chemical inputs while improving crop health and productivity.

A major component will be the value addition of tur, one of the region’s important agricultural products. Instead of selling it only as a raw commodity, the mission proposes to promote its conversion into protein bars, protein concentrate, high-protein flour, nutritional beverages, and ready-to-eat food products. This is expected to provide a boost to local food-processing industries.

The mission proposes to conserve the indigenous Kamalapur red banana variety of Kalaburagi district through tissue culture technology. It aims to develop the capacity to produce two to three lakh quality saplings every month, thereby encouraging wider cultivation of the distinctive variety.

Another focus area is the identification and preservation of indigenous microorganisms through a proposed regional microbial biobank. Research will be undertaken on microorganisms that can be used in biofertilisers, biological pest control and improvement of soil health.

An integrated bio-economy industrial park is proposed to be established in Kalaburagi. It is envisaged as a hub for research, biomanufacturing, tissue culture, food processing, quality testing, and incubation facilities to support start-ups.

The rural entrepreneurship component will provide training and guidance to farmer producer organisations (FPOs), start-ups and rural entrepreneurs. Assistance will also be extended in product value addition, market linkages and export readiness to encourage the establishment of new enterprises.

During the proposed three-year period, the mission aims to identify the potential of more than 40 local biological products and collect and study between 7,000 and 10,000 soil samples. It also seeks to promote the conservation of indigenous crops, improve agricultural productivity and encourage local manufacturing units based on value-added agricultural products.

Mr. Kharge said the initiative, guided by the vision of ‘From Native Biodiversity to Farmer Prosperity’, could give a new direction to agriculture, industry and the rural economy of Kalyana Karnataka. If implemented, it is expected to improve soil health and crop protection, increase the market value of local agricultural produce, create new business opportunities, and strengthen rural employment.

The Kalaburagi Bio-Economy Mission 2026 is currently at the proposal stage. Its implementation will be subject to preparation of a detailed project report (DPR), a feasibility study, and approval by the State Government, Mr. Kharge said.