Farm research unit in deal with MP, to invest Rs 26 cr

Mandsour (Madhya Pradesh)-based Sipani Agriculture Research Centre has proposed to invest Rs 26 crore in seed research, plant breeding and crop improvement for cereals and pulses.

The research centre is engaged in plant breeding and crop improvement for cereals and pulses and has been working on improvements in soybean, corn, wheat, pigeon pea, cotton and vegetables for 15 years. The company has developed some varieties of wheat, soyabean and pigeon pea (toor dal).

"We have made a deal with the state government recently and have plans to improve seeds for pigeon pea, soyabean, wheat and other cereals with an infrastructure investment of Rs 26 crore," NS Sipani, director of the company, told Business Standard.

"Our plan is to work on pigeon peas since the country is trying to become independent in pulses. We want government support in getting waste land near Mandsour, publicity-related work, etc. We are waiting for response from the government."

The organisation also signed a deal with the MP government in the recently organised agri business meet. It will create the infrastructure for the project.

The state government is yet to spell out terms and conditions though the department of agriculture had made claims that the government would start working on deals soon after the meet.

Sipani has developed and marketed Mohan Wonder, a wheat variety of a good wheat grain quality and high yield. Now Mohan Wonder is cultivated on more than 2 million hectares.

It also has developed "Waman", a three-gene dwarf wheat variety of a good quality and yield potential of 70 quintals/hectare.