Report of the task force on application of agricultural biotechnology

This report details a proposal for the Government of India’s long-term strategy on agro-biotechnology.

Key components of the report include:

• a draft long-term policy on applications of biotechnology in agriculture
• suggest modifications in the existing administrative and procedural arrangements in order to streamline/harmonise decision making under various ministries and organisations
• suggestions for a future role of Ministry of Agriculture in view of the developments taking place in the field of agriculture biotechnology
• awareness generation on matters relating to agricultural biotechnology.

The report includes chapters on:

• Application of Biotechnology in Agriculture
• Application of Biotechnology in Animal Husbandry and Fishery Sectors
• Biotechnology in Fisheries
• Prioritization of the target crops/animal/fish and traits
• Prioritized target traits in crop plants
• Prioritized target traits in livestock
• Specific areas for transgenic livestock
• Prioritized target traits in fishes
• Specific areas for transgenic fish
• Choice of Research Problems
• Capacity building for Priority setting in Genetic Engineering Research in Agriculture
• New Generation of Applications: Framework for Technological Assessment
• Conservation and Protection of Centres of Genetic Diversity
• Promotion of Organic Farming Zones
• Pest Management Systems
• Expeditious commercialization of Biotech Products
• Policy framework for commercialization
• Regulatory Mechanisms for Bio Safety Evaluation and release system/protocol
• Protocol-I: For New Transgenic Event
• Protocol - II: For Released Event/Gene
• National Biotechnology Regulatory Authority
• Food Safety and Quality Literacy
• Human Resource Development
• Right to Information
• National Biotechnology Regulatory Authority
• Prromoting Public Awareness on matters relating to Agricultural
• Biotechnology - Addressing the Factors Influencing Public Opinions on Biotechnology
• Establishing Channels of Communication with the Public
• Launching an Integrated and Intensive Campaign to generate public awareness
• Strategy to enhance Public Trust and Confidence in Agricultural Biotechnology
• Seed Registration
• Liability and Compensation
• Biosecurity Compact