The Agri-Business Incubator (ABI) at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in Hyderabad, India is now collaborating with private sector clients.

Bioseed Research India Pvt. Ltd., a part of the DCM Shriram Group, is working on research projects related to the application of agricultural biotechnology for the development of superior cotton hybrids. ICRISAT provides technology assistance for using molecular markers, gene marker identification, and genetic transformation. In addition, the seed company can make use of ICRISAT's greenhouse space, biotechnology labs and agricultural land for testing of their material.

Dr William Dar, Director General of ICRISAT, said that “The ABI is an important institution for partnering with the private-sector companies, where entrepreneurs can develop commercial ventures using ICRISAT technologies”.

The other project under the agri-business concept, is with Rusni Distilleries Pvt. Ltd., on generating extra-neutral alcohol (ENA), a raw material for producing potable alcohol, and fuel alcohol that can be added to petrol from sweet sorghum varieties developed by ICRISAT. According to ICRISAT scientist Kiran Sharma, the collaboration will generate better value for sorghum, a crop of the semi-arid regions, through its use for generating alcohol. ICRISAT will help further increase the sugar content in the sorghum varieties.

For further information, contact Dr. Kiran Sharma at k.sharma@cgiar.org.

Visit the ICRISAT website at http://www.icrisat.cgiar.org.