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Bio-tech & Genetics
India, US sign pact for agri-biotech research
Our Bureau
New Delhi
,
June 29
IN order to improve productivity and nutritional quality of agricultural produce, India and the US have signed a five-year agreement in the area of agri-biotech research.
A letter of intent was signed by the Minister of State for Science and Technology, Mr Kapil Sibal, and the US Ambassador to India, Mr David C. Mulford.
"The agreement is tripartite in nature, wherein the nodal agencies are going to be the USAID and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). The research will be pursued with support from Cornell University," said Mr Sibal.
The research will be conducted to find solutions for problems that reduce farm output in arid regions, such as drought, salinity and extreme temperatures. "To start with, the research will concentrate on rice and wheat. It may later include eggplant, potato, tomatoes, groundnut and sunflower depending on our requirements," said Mr Sibal.
"Those varieties will be taken up where there are no intellectual property rights issues and they will be licensed without any royalties," the Minister added.Asked about the project finance, Mr Sibal said, "It will be partnership on an equal basis."
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