Technology transfer agreements in Biotechnology were signed here today in the presence of Shri. Prithviraj Chavan, Union Minister of Science and Technology. Speaking on the occasion the Minister said that Biotechnology applications have already demonstrated their impact in healthcare through the use of new generation vaccines, diagnostics and biological drugs. In case of agriculture, GM crops particularly Bt cotton, biofertilizers, biopesticides and molecular breeding technologies have resulted in crop improvement both in terms of quality and yield of crops. He mentioned that The International collaboration and partnerships are essential for updating and advancing the state-of-the-art in India and facilitating adaptation of the latest technology complementary to the research and development work with the most advanced countries for mutual benefit. Shri Prithviraj Chavan said that a decade of Indo-Swiss collaboration in Biotechnology through this strategy of partnerships has resulted in technologies which are useful for both commercial purposes and also in providing technology access to resource poor farmers. The Indo-Swiss collaboration has set an example where Indian public sector institutions leveraging international cooperation can develop proprietary technologies and know how. The Garlic Lectin gene from Bose Institute, Kolkata and modified Bt gene from Assam Agriculture University are being transferred to Indian private sector for commercial product development and at the same time to Agriculture University for development of products to resource poor. This example also demonstrates how a sophisticated technology can be developed and diffused to farmers and consumers with different economic backgrounds, size of land holding, and that too for rain fed agriculture. He called upon Public sector institutions to emulate this example and gear up to develop technologies for increasing productivity and quality for our crops particularly suited for rain-fed situation and drought.

On this Occasion, the Minister welcomed the scientists who have developed the technologies from Bose Institute, Kolkata and Assam Agriculture University, Jorhat, Country Coordinator, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Chairman, MAHYCO Ltd. and Director of Research, University of Agriculture Sciences, Dharwad.

Source : Press Information Bureau
Date : August 28, 2009