Union Minister Jitendra Singh Unveils ‘Kisan Kavach’, India’s First Anti-Pesticide Bodysuit for Farmers

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 unveiled Kisan Kavach, India’s first-of-its-kind anti-pesticide bodysuit, here today. Designed to protect farmers from the harmful effects of pesticide exposure, this innovation marks a significant step towards ensuring farmer safety and aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of empowering the agricultural community through science and technology.

Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the significance of this initiative, stating, “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., this bodysuit provides protection against pesticide-induced toxicity, which often results in severe health complications including breathing disorders, vision loss, and, in extreme cases, death.”

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 farmers’ safety like never before.

“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 said, adding that the suit is set to revolutionize the way pesticide exposure is managed in agriculture.

Dr. Jitendra Singh lauded the efforts of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and BRIC-inStem for spearheading the project, emphasizing the Modi Government’s commitment to integrating science, technology, and innovation to empower the agricultural sector. “Over the last decade, the number of biotech startups in India has surged to over 8,500, positioning us to achieve a $300 billion bioeconomy. With initiatives like Kisan Kavach, we are advancing climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable development,” he added.

The innovative manufacturing process involves covalent attachment of a nucleophile on cotton fabric, stitched as “Kisan Kavach®.” This fabric can deactivate pesticides through nucleophilic mediated hydrolysis, thereby preventing pesticide-induced toxicity and lethality. These findings were recently published in the journal Nature Communications (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-49167-3).

At the event, the first batch of Kisan Kavach suits was distributed to farmers, marking a significant step toward protecting the 65% of India’s population engaged in agriculture. Dr. Jitendra Singh assured that as production scales up, the suit’s affordability will improve, making it accessible to more farmers across the country.

Dr. Jitendra Singh concluded by reiterating the government’s commitment to leveraging science for societal good, describing Kisan Kavach as 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 attended by prominent figures including 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 pioneering innovation.