(a) whether the Government propose to set up a National Bureau of Agriculturally Important Organisation in Delhi for documentation of conservation of genetic sources;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the manner in which the farmers are likely to be benefited therefrom?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI HUKUMDEO NARAYAN YADAV)
(a) There is a proposal to set up `National Bureau of Agriculturally Important Microorganisms`.
(b) & (c): The proposed Bureau is considered essential in view of the importance of microorganisms as a genetic resource. The activities of the proposed Bureau include identification, characterization, documentation, inventorization, conservation and utilization of agriculturally important plant microorganisms. This has become important due to existing and emerging intellectual property regime, especially on microorganisms. For example, nitrogen fixing bacteria could be used to produce far more nitrogen so essential for plants. Likewise, blue green algae could be used as bio-fertilizer. Also, many organisms could be a source of potential genes for developing varieties resistant to various biotic and abiotic stresses. Similarly, genes for quality attributes could profitably be exploited.