The Hindu Business Line : More GM seeds to hit market soon

THE transgenic material for sorghum, castor and red gram will be available in the country in the next couple of years, according to Dr M.V. Rao, Chairman of Andhra Pradesh-Netherlands Biotechnology Programme.

Stating that on March 26, the Union Government would be discussing about allowing cultivation of BT cotton in the country, Dr Rao pointed out that once the farmer saw the benefit of transgenic crops, none would be able to stop him from cultivation of genetically modified material. Addressing a national convention on `India at the threshold - Emerging opportunities in biotechnology', organised by APITCO Ltd here on Thursday, Dr Rao, emphasised how the traditional plant genetics ushered in green revolution and yellow revolution in the country.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr Villoo Morawala Patell, Chief Executive Officer of Avestha Gengraine Technologies Pvt Ltd, said biotechnology was the key to sustainable growth. She said one of the key features influencing the use of new technologies was the changing character of R&D. The agri-pharma convergence was likely to offer solution to bringing the farmer into the mainstream.

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