Lucknow biotech park to work for farmers, industry

A centre of knowledge and technology, aimed at improving agriculture, healthcare and a cleaner environment, is being developed at the city's biotech park.

The park has been established with the help of the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, in collaboration with the state Department of Science & Technology, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, New Delhi, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, universities & various industries.

"The main idea of the park is to promote new technology. We provide information about facilities, expertise and technology to both farmers and industries. We tell farmers what to grow and for whom to grow. This way, they can perceive a proper channel to sell their product," said Dr P K Seth, CEO-Biotech Park.

The park is a leading centre for production of plants used in produce bio-diesel. Bio-diesel is a harmless and eco-friendly alternative to diesel.

The park, in collaboration with NBRI, Lucknow, is growing good quality Jatropha Curcas plants. These plants have about 30-40 per cent oil content and are used to produce bio-diesel.

The park has developed four clones of Jatropha Curcas--BTP-K, A, N and C. All these clones have more than 33 per cent oil content. Some other species which can be used to produce bio-diesel are Pongemia pinnata, Ajadiracta indica and Madhuka indica.

The park has already delivered about 3 lakh such plants to the State Farm Corporation Ltd, Girijapuri, Bahraich.

It has also supplied them to Lakhimpur Kheri, Kaushambi, Sidharthnagar, Gorakhpur, Basti, Kusinagar, Maharajganj, Sant Kabir Nagar and Srawasti.

The park is considering the possibility of cultivating Jatropha over 20 lakh hectares of wasteland at Bakshi-Ka-Talab to produce bio fuel and is planning to come out with a biofuel policy to encourage entrepreneurs and farmers.

"Lucknow has immense potential for business in biopharma, bioagriculture, bioinformatics and bioservices. Our country lacks in bio-based industries. I wish more and more entrepreneurs set up eco-friendly industries to support the environment," added Seth.