the hindu reference

Karnataka - Bangalore

Agri-biotech set to boom, says UAS Vice-Chancellor

Staff Reporter

It is expected to become a $5-billion dollar industry by 2010

---

Bt cotton is already a success story:

Dr. Chengappa

Agriculture sector is poised to meet future needs with transgenic crops

---

BANGALORE: The biotechnology industry is advancing at a fast pace in India and is expected to become a $5 billion industry by 2010, and the agriculture sector, in particular, is likely to benefit the most from advances in biotechnology, said P.G. Chengappa, Vice-Chancellor, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, here on Tuesday.

Conference

Delivering the keynote address at the national conference of “Impact of Biotechnology in India”, organised by SRN Adarsh College,

Dr. Chengappa said the agriculture sector being the largest employer, besides having to produce food for the nation and the farmers themselves, is poised to meet these needs with its transgenic crops.

Bigger scope

“Bt cotton is already a success story. Other transgenic crops like rice, cabbage, tomato and brinjal are in field trials. This market is estimated to touch $ 400 million by 2008. There is scope for development of varieties resistant to pest, disease and drought,” he said.

The total consumption of biotech products in India (including human and animal healthcare products, agricultural products including seeds, industrial products, and other products was estimated to be $ 2,186 million, and was likely to touch $ 4,270 million.

Investment areas

The thrust areas of investment in India are vaccines, diagnostics, bioactive therapeutic proteins, seeds, bio-pesticides, bio-fertilisers, amino acids and speciality bio-chemicals and plastics, Dr. Chengappa said. A. Nagaratna, Principal, SRN Adarsh College, said the objective of the conference was to bridge the gap between industry and academia so that a body of trained personnel could be built to be absorbed into the industry.

Hiring norms

Many biotech firms were reluctant to hire graduates trained in colleges here because they did not meet the requirements of the companies, said the principal.

New projects

The college laboratories are awaiting recognition from the Bangalore University, since many interesting projects are underway that could be taken up by the biotech industry, said the principal.