NE can be hub of bioresources : Dr Jitendra

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 18 : Union Minister of State (Independent charge) for Science & Technology Dr Jitendra has categorically stated that the North East region could be the hub for bioresources.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the National seminar organized by Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) on the theme “Developing Bioeconomy from Bioresources of North East region of India'' at MFDS Auditorium, Palace Compound, Imphal, today.
The seminar was held as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Saying that India is looking for new resources and means to supplement the economy in the post Covid time, he observed that the entire progress and growth of the North East region is going to be biotechnology related.
While highlighting that the North East region is unexplored, particularly its huge diverse bioresources, Jitendra maintained that the contribution of biotechnology will be very important for Manipur and the North East region as a whole.
Describing Manipur as the nerve for all the biotechnology research and experimentation of the entire North East region, he said that the region will play a leading role in the post Covid economy of India.
"While biofuel will be the new fuel for India, the North East region is going to be the new engine for the whole of India with its bio resources”, the Minister stated and added that the region has a huge potential for generating bioeconomy from native bioresources and developing bio-entrepreneur through  capacity building and training the young researchers.
The Minister stated that such programmes will provide training to 'our young researchers for bioresources management and initiate their own start-ups based on development of herbal medicinal products, orchids production, fermented foods and their value addition to fulfil the vision of the Prime Minister for Atmanirbahar Bharat.'
Saying that IBSD is a unique institute in the North East region, he said that the institute has been playing a pivotal role in capacity building and added that it could also become the premier institute of India.
He opined that doubling farmers’ income by 2022 would be possible once the knowledge of biotechnology and its application is understood by all stakeholders.
Jitendra also said that North East Region is a genetic treasure of plants and microbial sources and has the potential to develop as a bioresource hub. During the programme, the Union MoS also distributed 'quality' planting material of sweet mandarin (citrus) , strawberry & malbhog to the farmers of Manipur.
Dr Jitendra also visited the facilities of IBSD including the Phytopharmaceutical laboratory and Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) facility. During this visit, the Union MoS also planted tree saplings.   The function was attended by MoS for External Affairs and Education Dr RK Ranjan, MP Leishemba Sanajaoba, Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar and IBSD, Takyelpat Director Professor Pulok Mukherjee.
An MoU for Covid testing Mobile iLab was also inked between IBSD and Mizoram Government.