Lok Sabha Question No. 275 (STARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: MoU with UK
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, SUDHEER GUPTA

## GOVERNMENT' OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOCY MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *275 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16/03/2016

## MoU WITH UK

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

TECHNOLOGY be pleased t0 state:

- Whether India and UK have   signed Memorandum of   Understanding (MoU) for establishment of a joint India-UK collaboration programme in crop science:
- IC so. the details thereof and the aim Of the agreement;
- The manner in which both the   countries are likely to be benefited therefrom; and
- (a) The time by which the agreement is to be implemented? likely

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR; HARSH VARDHAN)

- (a), (6) (c) & (d) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
- (a) Yes;  Madam . 4 Memorandum Understanding (MoU) has been   signed between Department of Biotechnology (DBT) Ministry of Science & Technology and a consortium of Cambridge   University. UK and  Biotechnology and The other UK institutions and universities partners are: National Institute of' Agricultural Botany (NIAB), John Innes Centre (JIC) Rothamsted and University of East Anglia (UEA)
- (b) to address the following objectives:
- resistance and drought resistance
- the translation ol' fundamental research into sustainable agriculture and extension services
- crop pre-breeding
- developing a mechanism for the establishment of a joint Indo-UK Plant Science Centre in India
- (C This collaboration On researchers in the United Kingdom and India. On the foundation of the established collaboration; this partnership in crop science will create opportunities for leading experts in the UK and India science and biotechnology. crop

The agreement foresees joint projects focusing 0n the fundamental science underpinning yield enhancement; disease resistance and drought resistance: research into crop re-breeding; and the translation of fundamental research into sustainable agriculture practice. It also contemplates the establishment of 4 joint Indo-UK Plant Science Centre in India

The collaboration also foresees capacity building in terms of training of human resource on both sides, addressing problems of farmers and providing viable scientific solutions  This platform will provide an understanding of the best farming practices of both India and UK:

- (d The agreement will be implemented with immediate eflect with the following activities already defined:
- Leadership Training Programme for around 40 mid-career women scientists to visit the UK this vear lor & 5 programme based in all the five UK partnering universilies day
- A subisidiary activity would undertake a scoping study to explore the possibility ol developing a demonstration farm model (an "Innovation Farm" ) , in partnership with Krishi Vigyan Kendras. These could be developed at several sites across India to allow farmers;  especially women   farmers, t0   receive training   and advice on the   latest agronomic practices and improved varieties, focusing on local climatic conditions and their associated dietary staples. key