Government approves NABI and BPU as Autonomous Institutions of Department of Biotechnology

The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for establishment of (a) National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI) and (b) Bioprocessing Unit (BPU) in Knowledge City at Mohali, Punjab,as autonomous institutions of the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India with the total estimated cost of Rs. 380 crores for 5 years w.e.f. 2008-2009 to 2012-13. Following are the highlights:

NABI represents 3 institutes in one: Agri-technology, food technology and nutrition technology. Thus it integrates 3 disciplines under its roof

BPU is designed to link R&D system with production facility to serve as an incubator for start-up agri-food companies

There will be an Agri-food Park within the cluster to be operated in the Public Private Partnership, PPP model

This kind of integration of R&D and production and enterprise is being planned for the first time in the country

The cluster has been designed with the help of Canadian experts from the Saskatchewan Agri-food Park

NABI is designed to be translational in the area of :

Agriculture – new gene discovery, genomics, designer crops etc.

Food Technology – food processing technologies, bioprocess engineering, food safety etc.

Nutrition science and technology – Public health nutrition technologies, functional foods and nutraceuticals, wellness foods etc.

The cluster will produce not only PhDs but also agri-food entrepreneurs and spawn new industries for the region

The HR component reflects multiple skill sets needed - breeders, food specialists, toxicologists, nutritionists, process engineers, managers, computer experts etc

Source: Press Inormation Bureau,
Date: August 25, 2008