(a) the present status of agriculture bio-tech research in the country;
(b) whether the Government has approved private and public research projects in
bio-tech research and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has delayed the approval of the project; and
(d) if so, the reasons therefor along with the action taken by the Government to
approve the project?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)
(a) The Government of India has established Genetic Engineering Units in Jawaharlal Nehru
University, New Delhi, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and Banaras Hindu University,
Varanasi and a National Institute for Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), New Delhi to work in the
area of plant genomics. About 300 institutions in India including National Agricultural
Research System (NARS) comprising Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and State
Agricultural Universities besides other public and private sector organizations are involved
in various aspects of bio-technology research. The ICAR has established National Research
Centre on Plant Biotechnology (NRCPB) at New Delhi to address biotechnological aspects of
agricultural crops. Department of Biotechnology (DBT) is implementing agricultural
biotechnology research through National Institute of Agri-Food Biotechnology and challenge
programmes for bio-prospecting and utilization of useful genes. Genes related to pest and
disease resistance, nutrition and productivity improvement are utilized for research work
on cereals, pulses and oilseeds. Bt cotton is the only transgenic crop approved for
cultivation in India subsequent to extensive evaluation and regulatory process approval.
(b) Two hundred and twenty DBT approved projects are in operation till May 2013 in
agricultural biotechnology comprising crops, animals, aquaculture and marine biotechnology.
This includes 3 projects under Small Business Innovation Research Initiative and 10 under
Biotechnology Industry Partnership Programme. The details of various aspects of agriculture
biotech research are presented in Annexure-I.
(c) & (d): Although approval for release and cultivation of transgenic Bt cotton was accorded
by the Government, approval for Bt Brinjal has been delayed. Similarly, further evaluation
and release of transgenic crops like mustard, maize, rice have been delayed due to issues of
clearance from certain State Governments, risk perception projected by some Non-Governmental
Organisations besides certain sections of Civil Society. Agricultural Biotechnology research
projects are approved by the Governmental Organizations following standard procedures taking
into account feasibility, utility and budgetary allocations. The Government of India is
following a policy of case by case approval of genetically modified crops. A final view on
the approval for commercialization of genetically modified crop plants will be taken only
when there is a clear economic and technical justification besides suitability for environment
and human consumption.