'AgriBiotech 2006' in March

To facilitate exchange of views among various stakeholders from the agricultural sector and agro-industries, the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation (APIDC) is organising an international conference, 'AgriBiotech 2006', early next month in Hyderabad.

The event, the theme of which is 'Biotechnology for Sustainable Agriculture and Agro-industry', is being jointly organised by APIDC in association with the All India Biotech Association, Southern Chapter (AIBA SC), Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA), AP Netherlands Biotechnology Program (APNLBP), Andhra Pradesh State Council of Science and Technology (APCOST), Pragati Agri-Biotech Private Limited and the Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University (Angrau). The conference will be held at Pragati Resorts during March 9-11, 2006.

Announcing this to mediapersons, Indrasain Reddy, chairman, APIDC, said, "Till now 11 countries including Germany, Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Japan have responded to our invitation to take part in the event. About 300 delegates are expected to participate in the three-day conference."

M V Rao, chairman, ABNLBP, highlighting some of the important features of the event, said, "The sessions will have substantial participation from policy-makers, industry experts and NGOs besides progressive farmers. Some of the major issues such as genetically modified crops, organic farming and post harvest technology will be discussed."

The plenary sessions slated for the conference include, 'Biotechnology for Crop Improvement and Gene Technology and Stress Tolerance'.

A total of 10 sessions will be held on how biotechnology can play a part in the fields of aquaculture, agriculture and horticulture during the three-day conference.