Centre to launch Bio-tech programmes for SC/ST in NE

Aizawl, Sep 11 (UNI) With the aim to benefit the Schedule Castes and Schedule Tribes (SC/ST) and the rural population in the NE region, the Ministry of Science and Technology has introduced various new bio-tech based programmes here.

Various new programmes includes study of medical and aromatic plants, animal bio-technology, environmental bio-technology, bio-informatice programmes, bio-prospection and molecular taxonomy, bio-pesticides and medical bio-technology, the official sources here today informed.

Centre would spend on the 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 famlies in Tripura at the cost of Rs 19.63 lakh, development of appropriate technology of mushroom cultivation for improvement of ST 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 23.61 lakh.

Besides this, the Science and Technology Ministry would also spend for bio-technology based programme for women of NE, which includes mass micropropagation of orchids for women folk in Meghalaya at the cost of Rs 8.68 lakh, augmenting food and economic secutiry of tribal communities particularly women in Arunachal Pradesh through simple, low-cost technological interventions at the cost of Rs 4.75 lakh and culture of corps and air-breathing fishes in hilly region and transfer of technology to rural population of Meghalaya at the cost of Rs 9.31 lakh, the officials added.

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