Punjab to have life sciences institute in collaboration with US company

CHANDIGARH: In a move that could revolutionize agriculture-allied economy in the state, the Punjab Government Thursday agreed in principle to lend facilitating support to the setting of the first project for genetically controlled production of high quality live-stock through 'sexed semen' and 'synchronization of heat' techniques.

The project, developed and piloted by the Indigene Life science Technologies, USA would help revive the extinct pure breeds of Murrah and Neeli Ravi Buffalos and other breeds with high yields of milk. This pilot project first of its kind in the country is likely to be set up in collaboration with the State Animal Husbandry Department and as aimed at boosting diary farming as complementing alternative to farming. The move assumes significance amidst amidst reports of a fall away from traditional agricultural activity in the wake of un-remunerative rewards due to the steep increase in the cost of inputs. 

The government's decision to encourage the new technology followed a meeting between KS Chahal, Chairman & MD of Indigene Lifescience Technologies and the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here this morning. 

The government has asked  Chahal to explore the magnitude of potential to improve the existing livestock both qualitatively and quantitatively by making use of this technology. Chahal has been assured all help and cooperation in setting up this venture which could transform the local scene in high quality breed of livestock and turn diary farming into a significant engine   of economic growth. The governmet wanted to up the average milk production of buffalo from 12 Kg to at least 20 Kg at par with the international average. 

Badal has convened the next meeting on following Monday with Dr. Chahal to come back with a detailed and concrete proposal.

The importance attached by the government to the project was underlined by the presence of the top political and bureaucratic wings of the administration in it. Apart from the Chief Minister, the state Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal, Animal Husbandry Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike, Media Advisor to Chief Minister Harcharan Bains, Chief Secretary Ramesh Inder Singh, Principal Secretary Animal Husbandry S.C. Aggarwal, Principal Secretary Finance DS Kalha, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister DS Guru and Vice Chancellor Guru Nanak Dev University of Veterinary Sciences Dr.VK Taneja took part in the hour long meeting.