Question : MONOPOLY OVER BIO TECHNOLOGY



(a) whether the multi-national companies have monopoly over bio-technology in India;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the measures taken by the Government to extend the benefits of bio-technology to farmers?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

( SHRI BACHI SINGH RAWAT )

(a) & (b) : Sir, multinational companies have no monopoly over Biotechnology in India. Several Indian Companies are producing biotech products and marketing in India, e.g. M/s. Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Ahmedabad; M/s. Shantha Biotechnics Ltd., Hyderabad; Bharat Biotech International Ltd., Hyderabad; M/s. Ace Laboratories Ltd., New Delhi; M/s. J. Mitra & Co. Ltd., New Delhi have used indigenous R&D for producing biotech products like biofertilizers, vaccines and diagnostic kits.

(c) : The Government of India has taken many initiatives and measures to ensure that relevant products of biotechnology would reach the farmers. Biofertilizers, biopesticides, tissue culture plants through technology transfer have already benefited many farmers in the country. Farmers melas, workshops, awareness and educational programmes are helping the perception of farmers about the potential of biotechnological tools and their application for sustainable agriculture.