DBT & ICAR Sings MoU To Promote Agricultural Biotechnology Sector
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) is responsible for the promotion of Biotechnology Research & Development whereas Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is solely devoted to managing research and education in Agriculture field including horticulture, fisheries, and animal sciences. In past, to promote Biotechnology Research & Development in the areas of Agriculture Biotechnology, several programs have been undertaken by DBT. Under one such initiative, a Memorandum of Understanding for mutual cooperation has been signed in between ICAR and DBT.
Under this deal, both the bodies will coordinately explore the possibility of collaboration and accelerate the progress of training and research in a variety of areas of agricultural biotechnology.
Mrs. Renu Swarup, Secretary – Department of Biotechnology, pointing on the importance of the MoU stated: that Very soon five to ten focused programmes short, medium and long term focused programmes is going to be developed and implemented. She also added that the National systems and the joint working group will be able to access the major facilities and technology platforms created by DBT and ICAR.
The motive behind the implementation of MoU are:
- to form a common think tank of experts from ICAR and DBT and others to formulate policies.
- to establish National platform/centers for services related to genomics, genotyping, data banking, agriculture bioinformatics, GM food detection, validation of technologies such as vaccines, diagnostics of veterinary/ fisheries use, molecular markers in crop and animal breeding
- to introduce courses/training programmes in the area of IPR, biosafety, biodiversity conservation and germplasm exchange, genomic selection and breeding for faculty and students through appropriate mechanisms and; research prioritization with other ministries and foreign collation like Indo-UK SIC, BRICS, African countries and ‘Look East’ programme in relation to agricultural biotechnology.
Under this DBT – ICAR pact, initiatives to promote agri-innovations and start-ups, through well-established BIRAC mechanism will be taken. This flagship synergistic approach would be taken-up in mission mode through networking with the elite institutions in the Country.
very good step.