ICAR's biotech push earns activists' wrath

The Union government is putting in renewed efforts on agri-biotech research through the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), which has been active in this field for the past several years. The initiatives, however, are not going down well with the civil society, even as those are drawing a positive initial response from the private sector.

The emphasis is multi-pronged — and is focused on the need to develop the next generation of crop biotechnology using the latest methods and findings.

Officials says the focus in the upcoming budget will be on enhanced allocation to agriculture research and technology, by setting up two dedicated institutes for undertaking research on transgenic and bio-technology crops, besides a Rs 150-200 crore pan-India programme to develop an Indian version of biotech cotton which can be patented.

The first in the endeavours, called the Indian Institute of Agri Biotech Management, will be set up in Ranchi with a capital investment of around Rs 287 crore. The second, called the National Institute of Biotech Stress Management, will exclusively undertake research on transgenic and bio-technology crops. It will be set up in Chhattisgarh with an investment of Rs 121 crore.

The government’s expenditure and finance committee has okayed the setting up these two institutes.

Both of them will be deemed universities,” according to a senior crop scientist of ICAR.

“They will work exclusively to undertake the next generation research on indigenous biotech crops, transgenic, nano technology in crops, animal husbandry and fisheries,” he told Business Standard.

For the latest endeavour, authorities have solicited the help of the private sector, which has been an equal player in crop research since the last several years.

All the same, the new focus has not pleased the civil society and opponents of biotech crops. They want the government to develop proper protocol to take people on board on these moves.

The private sector, on its part, has shown initial interests in partnering with the government. There are already many collaborations between the two in the field of biotech research, but the sector feels that the fresh impetus will give it more opportunity.