The Hindu Business Line : Rasi Seeds ties up with Canada varsity

Gene manipulation technique appears to be catching up with the private seed producing major - Rasi Seeds entering into an MoU with the University of Ottawa, Canada for import of gene.

The Salem-based company's Managing Director, Mr M. Ramaswamy, told Business Line the company was awaiting the RCGM's (Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation) nod for import of gene. "We have sought permission and are hoping to get it in about a month's time. Once the Committee clears our proposal, we will import the material and start working on vegetables. The release of transgenic vegetables could however take another 3 or 4 years," he said.

The MoU basically is for transfer of technology, he added.

Kesava

The company is in talks with the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and the US-based Iltad Lab on transgenic Kesava. "It is still in the conceptual stage," Mr Ramaswamy said.

The company meanwhile is trying to work with the Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) to explore the possibility of improving and developing disease-free Kesava planting material. "This is not a commercial venture but a social initiative to help the Kesava growers in this belt," he said.

The Kesava crop, according to him suffered a huge setback in yield levels due to the mosaic virus. Both the area and yield is said to have dwindled considerably in the last couple of years - from over one lakh hectares (in Tamil Nadu alone) and yield potential of 35 tonne/hectare to less than 15 tonne/hectare at present.

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