(a) whether virus borne diseases cause heavy loss to crop every year;
(b) if so, whether the Government proposes to formulate any scheme to expand and boost
technique of saving crops by implanting protein with the help of bio-technology developed by
the researchers; and
(c) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)
(a): A number of plant viral diseases occur in various parts of the country and cause varying
degree of loss to crops.
(b)&(c): The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has formulated several projects
to develop virus-resistant transgenic plants by employing biotechnology techniques. ICAR has
also established a Network Project on Transgenics which addresses important viral diseases of
field and horticultural crops. The Department of Biotechnology supports many projects for the
development of viral resistant transgenic crop varieties