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Hyderabad , May 5

PRATHISTA Industries Ltd, a research driven agro-biotech company, has launched Trichoderma Viride, a bio-fungicide, with the support of the Union Department of Biotechnology (DBT).

The bio-pesticide, claimed to be the first to be launched by an Indian company, can be used for seed treatment as well as protection against root rot and wilt diseases. The company enjoys more than 50 per cent market share in the bio-pesticide/bio-fertilisers segment.

The company, which achieved a turnover of Rs 12.5 crore during 2004-05, has set up what it claims as the country's largest industrial fermentation plant on the outskirts of Hyderabad with an investment of Rs 29 crore.

The Chief General Manager, Mr Biswanath Mishra, said to strengthen the base in biotechnology, Prathista had invested Rs 18-crore capital expenditure. Funds were raised through paid-up capital and unsecured loans to the tune of Rs 8.5 crore and Rs 4 crore respectively.

The company has tied-up with the Regional Research Laboratory (RRL), Jammu, for the process know-how to manufacture Gluconate Salts using the biotech route (fermentation process), Mr Mishra told newspersons.

Based on the same RRL technology, the company has developed biotech methods to make gluconates-based micronutrient mix such as bio-zinc and bio-potash, which would substantially help the soil health. focussed on bio-fertilisers, herbal and organic crop protectors, special formulations for spice and plantation crops and targeted products for the animal healthcare segments, he said.

The company has received fund support from the Technology Development Board, World Bank, for setting up various R&D and pilot scale facilities. It has entered into a tri-partite agreement with the RRL, and the DBT to commercialise a range of bio-fertilisers and bio-control agents.

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