Icrisat's incubator goes commercial

The Agri-Business Incubator (ABI) at the International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (Icrisat) has launched its commercial operations with the signing of collaborative agreements with two private-sector clients "� Rusni Distilleries Private Limited and Bioseed Research India Private Limited.

During the ABI board of governors meeting held recently at Icrisat, William Dar, director-general of Icrisat, said that the agreements marked a milestone for the ABI, a collaborative venture between the organisation and the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. "The ABI is an important institution for partnering with the private sector," he added.

Rusni Distilleries will collaborate for generating extra-neutral alcohol and fuel alcohol that can be added to petrol from sweet sorghum varieties developed by Icrisat. Bioseed Research, part of the DCM Sriram Group, will work on research projects related to the application of agricultural biotechnology for the development of superior cotton hybrids.

The collaboration will generate better value for sorghum, a crop of the semi-arid regions, through its use for generating alcohol. Icrisat will help further increase the sugar content in the sorghum varieties.

The ABI's second client, Bioseed Research India Private Limited, part of the DCM Sriram Group, will work on research projects related to the application of agricultural biotechnology for the development of superior cotton hybrids.

Icrisat will provide technology assistance for using molecular markers, gene marker identification, and genetic transformation. Further, the seed company can make use of Icrisat's greenhouse space, biotechnology labs and agricultural land for testing of their material.

Some of the other technologies under consideration for incubation include generation of biodiesel from jatropha and pongamia, sugar production from sweet sorghum, product development from hybrid paddy, and development of biopesticides.