In a landmark development, Union Minister of Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, inaugurated the pioneering “National Speed Breeding Crop Facility” at the esteemed National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI) in Mohali today.
Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the facility’s alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to double farmers’ income, promote economic empowerment, and foster Agri-StartUps. He expressed confidence that this initiative would empower farmers to enhance both the quality and quantity of their crops.
Dr. Singh underscored the significance of the biotechnology speedy seeds facility, highlighting its specific relevance for North Indian states like Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. He stressed that the facility would bring transformative changes to crop improvement programs by accelerating the development of advanced varieties capable of withstanding climate change, thus addressing the growing food and nutritional demands of the population.
The minister elaborated on the development of ‘Climate-resistant crops,’ allowing farmers the flexibility to cultivate crops regardless of seasonal constraints. He celebrated the recent achievements of science and technology institutes, citing examples such as the successful ‘Tulip’ cultivation by CSIR Palampur and the award-winning ‘108-petal lotus’ by CSIR Lucknow. Dr. Jitendra Singh asserted, “Bio-manufacturing and Bio-foundry will drive India’s future bio-economy and promote Green Growth.”
He emphasized the ministry’s collaborative approach, combining modern science and technology with traditional knowledge, in line with Prime Minister Modi’s vision. Highlighting India’s remarkable bio-economic growth, Dr. Singh stated, “India’s bio-economy has grown 13 folds in the last 10 years from $10 billion in 2014 to over $130 billion in 2024,” underscoring the sector’s crucial role in the nation’s economic landscape. Acknowledging the importance of the agricultural sector, the minister disclosed that the recent ‘Vote of Account-Budget’ included a provision for a special scheme for Bio-manufacturing. He emphasized the pivotal role institutes like NABI would play in transforming and adding value to the farming sector’s productivity.
The National Speed Breeding Crop Facility is poised to benefit scientists, researchers, plant breeders, and progressive farmers engaged in agricultural and biotechnology research. The facility’s advanced technology will facilitate the development of new crop varieties, including wheat, rice, soybean, pea, and tomato, with the ability to achieve over four generations per year in a precisely controlled environment.
Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted NABI’s significant contributions to the ‘Atal Jai Anusandhan Biotech (UNaTI) Mission (Poshan Abhiyan)’ and the establishment of Biotech Kisan Hubs across Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, among
others.