Bio-tech based programme introduced

Aizawl, Jun 21 : With the aim to benefit the schedule caste, schedule tribe and rural population in the NE region, the Science and Technology Ministry has introduced new bio-tech based programmes here.

The various projects include study of medical and aromatic plants, animal bio-technology, environmental bio-technology, bio-informatic programmes and bio-technology, official sources here today informed.

The Centre would spend on studies of the potential of quails farming in Mizoram at the cost of Rs 19.47 lakh, production of lemon grass oil at Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh at the cost of Rs 13 lakh, piggery development programme in Nagaland at the cost of Rs 3.1 lakh, setting up of the pig breeding facility unity among 50 tribal families in Tripura at the cost of Rs 19.63 lakh, development of appropriate technology of mushroom cultivation for improvement of scheduled tribe women in Manipur at the cost Rs 7.94 lakh, steps for conservation of rare fishes of Tripura at the cost of Rs 15 lakh and empowerment of SC/ST and weaker section through cultivation of non-traditional remunerative plantation crops at the cost of Rs 23.61 lakh.

Besides this, the science and technology ministry would also spend for bio-technology based programme for women across the NE, which includes mass micro-propagation of orchids for women folk in Meghalaya at the cost of Rs 8.68 lakh, augmenting food and economic security of tribal communities particularly women in Arunachal Pradesh through simple, low-cost techonological interventions at the cost of Rs 4.75 lakh and culture of corps and air-breathing fishes in hilly region and transfer of technology of rural population of Meghalaya at the cost of Rs 9.31 lakh, the official added.

UNI