COIMBATORE: The
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University is all set to get a biotechnology
research centre which will focus on product development in agriculture, food, green biotechnology, bioprospecting, genomics and bio informatics sectors.
The centre will be a joint venture by the state government, NABARD,
TNAU, private industries and some philanthropists.
Called the Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology, it will have a budget of Rs 430 crore. It will aim to have a world class infrastructure for research and development.
“The main aim would be to strengthen biotechnology research and education. This centre will also become a hub for TNAU to interlink with other academic and research institutes in the state and abroad for international research collaborations,” said a statement from the university.
The centre will be established under the TNAU umbrella. However, it would function as an independent unit.
“We are designing it to serve as a public-private platform for projects such as research, incubation and commercialisation of high performance crop varieties, super active enzymes and biomolecules, bio-based products, hormones for fruit ripening, plant growth stimulants and similar bio-inputs for the commercial benefit of farmers,” said a TNAU official.
The facility would be established on a 5acre land in the district with all necessary infrastructure and equipment to meet the requirements of students, researchers and private industries, said the statement.
