Importance of Microorganism in Agriculture and Allied Sectors Emphasized

Mau Nath Bhanjan, (U. P.)14 May, 2011

The 5th Annual Review Meeting of the project “Application of Microorganisms in Agriculture and Allied Sectors” was organized at National Bureau of Agriculturally Important Microorganisms (NBAIM), Mau Nath Bhanjan, Uttar Pradesh on 14-15th May, 2011 under the Chairmanship of Dr. S. Ayyappan, Secretary (DARE) and Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research. 

Dr. Ayyapan very categorically placed on record the efforts made by the NBAIM in networking Indian scientists working in microbial research and emphasized that in the days to come, the microbes with their unique intrinsic properties, have the ability to transform primary agriculture into secondary agriculture that will be more effective, productive, eco-friendly and sustainable. He also released the whole genome sequence of Mesorhizobium  ciceri.

Addressing the participants, Dr. Swapan K. Dutta, Deputy Director General (Crop Science) reiterated that the biological revolution is going to revolutionized Indian agriculture very soon in which the role of microbes are enormous.  “Specific Priority Areas for 12th Plan” were deliberated and it was decided to organize a Brain Storming Session on “Application of Microorganisms in Agriculture and Allied Sectors” in near future.

The progress in the project in different thematic areas such as Microbial Diversity and Identification, Nutrient Management, PGPR and Biocontrol, Microbial Management of Agrowaste, Bioremediation and Microbes in PHT, Microbial Management of Abiotic Stress and Microbial Genemoics was also evaluated and several recommendations were made.

Dr. T.P. Rajendran, Assistant Director General (PP), Dr. D.K. Arora (Director, NBAIM), National Coordinator and PIs and Co-PIs of the Network Project participated in the deliberations.

(Source-NAIP Sub-Project on Mass Media Mobilization, DKMA with inputs from NBAIM, Mau Nath Bhanjan, UP)