Government aims at Rs1,000 crore investments in agri-biotech sector

11 June 2007

Mumbai: The government has envisaged Rs1,000 crore investment for the development of agri-biotech sector through public-private partnership, a top official of the country''s premier agricultural institute said.

"The plan, however, is in its conceptual stages," S A Patil, director, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, said at the annual biotechnology fair in Bangalore.

Like industrial and medical biotechnology, development of agri-biotech also would involve huge investments. This can be better achieved through private-public partnership, he said after inaugurating the agri-biotech day at BIO 2007.

"All the related ministries, including information technology, biotechnology, irrigation and rural development have to get involved for development of agri-biotech, where agricultural products are linked to need," he said.

He said a second green revolution was being contemplated through development of dry land farming technology.

"Karnataka is better as far as dry land development is concerned since watershed programmes are being taken up on a very large-scale here," he said, adding, "it can be really successful with participation of farmers."