At NBPGR, issues like importing germplasm, conducting quality checks of imported transgenic material are decided, which are crucial for the industry. Today when expectations run high and challenges have taken a new shape Dr BS Dhillon, director, NBPGR, is all set to face them with a focused approach. Discussing this and much more with BioSpectrum, Dr Dhillon expressed his thoughts and ideas about the country's agriculture scenario.

How has been NBPGR's experience in maintaining the quality of imports of plant material, germplasm and transgenic material? What are the challenges that it faces?

Plant quarantine is high on our mandate. Maintaining the quality of imports is a big challenge in itself. We are very alert in checking the quality standards, especially in transgenics—we look for any terminator genes. At our bureau, we have world-class facilities for conducting these checks. The major challenge ahead of us is the wrong publicity spread about transgenics and export of germplasm. So far India has secured its diversity unlike any other developing nation which is a very motivating fact. But we need to focus on our growth. The division of plant quarantine, which is responsible for maintaining quality of such imports in India, consists of experienced scientists and well-trained technical staff in the disciplines of entomology, nematology and plant pathology (bacteriology, mycology, virology). There are well-developed procedures for a systematic and step-wise quarantine processing of germplasm in the well-equipped laboratories for each discipline. The most important facilities include soft X-ray plant, vacuum fumigation system, multi-gas detector, ambient air analyzer, hot water treatment, ultra-centrifuge, UV spectrophotometer, ELISA reader, deep freezer, etc.

What have been the recent developments at NBPGR?

Last year, under the plant exploration and collection of germplasm program a total of 141 plant explorations were undertaken across the country and 7,693 collections were made comprising of germplasm of horticultural crops and their wild varieties. Under the quarantine processing and clearance of germplasm we processed 89,916 samples of various crops for quarantine clearance. Out of these samples the imported samples were about 83,662 and only 6,254 were exported. These samples included true seeds, rooted plants, tissue culture plantlets, etc. Apart from these we are also focusing on our center's work on DNA fingerprinting. We are working on maintaining the DNA fingerprinting database and statistical analysis package.

How are the ifs and buts on trangenics affecting the Indian industry?

It is critical to reply to this, being the representative of this bureau. Growth has been affected in a negative way by the objections and hurdles, which came across India's first transgenic experience in the case of Bt cotton. Proper screening is essential in the case of transgenics and we have to follow the guidelines. But even after that, we need to consider the first hand feedback from farmers. We need to consider the Indian point of view also in transgenics. Moreover, I think in India, transgenics are in the primary stage, we are late starters as compared with other developing nations but we are not bad starters.

What are the efforts required for increasing the pace of growth of the Indian agricultural industry?

First of all, we need to tap the upcoming trends in the industry. Innovative ideas are required for this sector. But most of all, an integrated effort is needed among the scientist community. I think, all the ICAR institutes should come forward and exchange their ideas with each other for the growth of the industry. Linkage, in terms of industry and academicians, is important. I think that this part is still lacking somewhere. Decentralized structure can also improve the situation of the Indian agricultural scenario.

How much has NBPGR contributed towards maintaining these linkages?

We have developed a good network with different divisions of ICAR, IARI, Indian Institute of Horticulture Research and various other ICAR institutes. We have strong links with DBT, DST and Dept of Environment and Forests, various other agricultural universities, research foundations and NGOs for several collaborative programs. Apart from this, NBPGR is in touch with international agricultural research centers, FAO, UN Development program, World Bank and several other organizations dealing in genetic resources.

Since plant quarantine is one of the major thrust areas at NBPGR, what are the on going projects in this division? What are the challenges that lay ahead?

There are many projects going on at the moment. Quarantine processing of germplasm under exchange and supportive research is an eminent thrust area at the bureau. We are also focusing on seed health testing, especially the germplasm of various agricultural/horticultural crops for pest-free conservation. The national containment/ quarantine facility for transgenic planting material is also doing well at the quarantine division of NBPGR. Apart form this, diagnosis and development of seed certification protocols for management of seed transmitted viral diseases of grain legumes is another focus area. In terms of challenge, we need to deliver the allotted work on specific deadlines. In fact, delivering the research at right time is the biggest challenge ahead of us.

What do you foresee in the future for the Indian bioagri industry? How is it going to develop in the coming years?

The Indian bioagriculture industry is growing, but at a slow pace. It has to upgrade its strengths. Although there are lot of potential in India, but we need to tap that strength. The past few years have not shown any substantial increase in India's bioagri segment of industry, but it can be assumed by looking at today's scenario that things are catching up. The coming years will witness good growth in this segment.

Faiz Askari