The Chhattisgarh Government is in the process of drafting a ‘Biotechnology Policy’, Agriculture Minister Brijmohan Agrawal said. Biotechnology experts from across the country are currently involved in preparing an action plan in Raipur for Biotechnology initiatives, he said while chairing a meeting of eminent biotechnologists at Indira Gandhi Agriculture University (IGAU) here.

Agrawal during the meeting stated that biotechnology could be used for enhancing agriculture productivity as well as conserving the environment. IGAU Vice Chancellor Dr S K Patil  in his address stressed upon the completion of the work of the Biotechnology Park proposed by Chhattisgarh Government at the earliest.

It may be recalled that the meetings of Agri Biotech Task Force, Environmental Biotech Task Force and Crop Molecular Expert Committee of the Central Government are being held in the University from June 1 to 6. The meeting was attended by experts from Crop Molecular Committee from across the country. Notably, The Biotech Consortium India ltd has already prepared a business plan for setting up a Biotechnology Park in Chhattisgarh for State Government’s Chhattisgarh Information and Biotechnology Promotion Society (CHiPS) among other states, it was learnt.

Chhattisgarh has emerged as a lucrative investment hub among its competing States with sectors like biotechnology, power, mining and minerals, manufacturing, sponge iron and steel, IT and ITeS, food processing etc. becoming key  investment drivers and has attracted both domestic and foreign investment over the past few years, Government officials stated. The investment flow into the State has increased significantly during the past five years.