Biotech still a sleeping giant for farmers in North East
The northeastern region considered to be a treasure house of plants, animals and microbial resources, however, continues to remain backward, its potential yet untapped said experts.
The sufferings of the farmers of the northeastern region can be substantially reduced if biotechnology is used in the agricultural sector, they said.
"Biotechnology, if properly applied, can work as the engine of growth for the hitherto underdeveloped North East region." The North East Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NECCI), a premier trade and commerce body of the region, is taking a leading role in bringing about awareness among the farmers about use of biotechnology.
NECCI secretary D K Sharma said his body had organised an interaction of experts from the University of Pune, Regional Research Laboratory, Jorhat, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Borapani IIT, Guwahati besides several other institutions where the speakers were unanimous in their view that biotechnology has still remained a "sleeping giant" for the North East.
The focus, Pranab Kumar Goswami, head of the department of biotechnology, IIT, Guwahati, said should be on development of entrepreneurs in the biotechnology sector for which the NECCI had selected 25 young entrepreneurs. "Neither the policy makers nor the poor farmers know anything about biotechnology nor has this affected growth" Mr. Sharma said. Mr. Goswami said his department has developed a sound infrastructure for carrying out cutting edge research in biotechnology with active involvement with NECCI.
India is one of the five emerging biotech leaders in the Asia Pacific region and the northeastern region has tremendous potential for development of this sector due to its rich bio diversity, Mr. Goswami said.
"This is an ideal place for biotechnology based cultivation of aromatic and medicinal plants, sericulture, biological control of pests and diseases," he said. "The public sentiment on genetically modified organism, however, may be a barrier for growth, but this has to be changed: he said.
The northeastern region considered to be a treasure house of plants, animals and microbial resources, however, continues to remain backward, its potential yet untapped said experts.
The sufferings of the farmers of the northeastern region can be substantially reduced if biotechnology is used in the agricultural sector, they said.
"Biotechnology, if properly applied, can work as the engine of growth for the hitherto underdeveloped North East region." The North East Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NECCI), a premier trade and commerce body of the region, is taking a leading role in bringing about awareness among the farmers about use of biotechnology.
NECCI secretary D K Sharma said his body had organised an interaction of experts from the University of Pune, Regional Research Laboratory, Jorhat, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Borapani IIT, Guwahati besides several other institutions where the speakers were unanimous in their view that biotechnology has still remained a "sleeping giant" for the North East.
The focus, Pranab Kumar Goswami, head of the department of biotechnology, IIT, Guwahati, said should be on development of entrepreneurs in the biotechnology sector for which the NECCI had selected 25 young entrepreneurs. "Neither the policy makers nor the poor farmers know anything about biotechnology nor has this affected growth" Mr. Sharma said. Mr. Goswami said his department has developed a sound infrastructure for carrying out cutting edge research in biotechnology with active involvement with NECCI.
India is one of the five emerging biotech leaders in the Asia Pacific region and the northeastern region has tremendous potential for development of this sector due to its rich bio diversity, Mr. Goswami said.
"This is an ideal place for biotechnology based cultivation of aromatic and medicinal plants, sericulture, biological control of pests and diseases," he said. "The public sentiment on genetically modified organism, however, may be a barrier for growth, but this has to be changed: he said.
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please send me a copy of "economics" by "samuelson & nordhaus" latest edition to kamatpra@gmail.com
please send me a copy of 'Biotech a sleeping gaint' to rohina.m@gmail.com
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