Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of Science & Technology, inaugurated the ground breaking ‘National Speed Breeding Crop Facility,’ named “DBT SPEEDY SEEDS,” at the National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI) in Mohali.
Aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of doubling farmers’ income and promoting Agri-Start Ups, Dr.Singh emphasized the facility’s potential to enhance crop quality and quantity for farmers across India.
The facility, particularly beneficial for North Indian states like Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Jammu & Kashmir, aims to accelerate the development of climate-resilient crop varieties to meet food and nutritional demands while combating climate change challenges.
Underlining the significant growth of India’s bio-economy, Dr. Singh highlighted the Ministry’s focus on bio-manufacturing and bio-foundry to drive green growth. He emphasized the synergy between modern science and traditional farming knowledge to bolster India’s economy.
The inauguration witnessed discussions on India’s remarkable bio-economy growth and its pivotal role in the country’s economic trajectory. The event underscored the Modi government’s commitment to supporting bio-economy through special budgetary provisions and fostering collaborations between research institutions, industries, and progressive farmers.
The facility, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, will facilitate the development of improved crop varieties, including wheat, rice, soybean, pea, and tomato, by achieving more than four crop generations annually in a precisely controlled environment.
Prof. Ashwani Pareek, Executive Director of NABI, highlighted the institute’s contributions to various missions, including the Atal Jai Anusandhan Biotech (UNaTI) Mission and Biotech Kisan Hubs across North Indian states. The inauguration marked a significant step towards advancing agricultural research and empowering farmers with innovative solutions to enhance productivity and resilience in the face of evolving challenges.
