September 2003
26 Sep 2003, financialexpress.com	CCMB now plans to brew drought-resistant coffee Coffee biotechnology for developing drought and stress resistant coffee varieties is the latest programme taking shape at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad. A network programme "National Programme on Coffee Biotechnology", was initiated by the department of biotechnology (DBT) along with CCMB, Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI), Chickmagalur, University of Agricultural Science, Bangalore and Madurai Kamaraj University. CCMB will focus mainly on developing DNA fingerprinting-based genetic characterisation for various varieties of coffee.
25 Sep 2003, business-standard.com	Biotech firms export 50% output in FY03 Indian biotechnology industry has reported exports of 53 per cent of its production, that is, Rs 1,830 crore for the financial year 2003. According to the survey conducted by Indian biotechnology industry, BioSpectrum and ABLE (Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises), Indian biotech industry will grow by 25-30 per cent this year. The survey gives the market share of the various sectors in the Indian biotech industry and lists India's top 50 biotech companies revenue wise and gives details of promising biotech companies. Biocon India, Bangalore based biotech company emerged as the largest company with a turnover of Rs 255 crore. The findings of the survey reveal that biopharma is a dominant sector in the biotech industry with 70 percent market share. Bioindustrial sector captures 13 percent market share followed by bioservices that accounts for seven percent.
19 Sep 2003, gardenbanter.co.uk	Larson: Biotech too important to ignore Biotechnology can't be ignored, asserts Alan Larson,United States Undersecretary of State for Economic, Business and Agricultural Affairs. Larson condemned the restrictions on the development and use of biotechnology-related products in the paper titled " Trade and Development Dimensions of U.S. International Biotechnology Policy". He said that these restrictions not only discourage international trade but also restrain developing countries from enjoying the benefits of biotechnology. Larson believes that the global biotech industry needs regulations, which are logical, objective and science-based.
16 Sep 2003, business-standard.com	Genetically modified cotton use on the rise A number of textile companies globally are using genetically engineered varieties of cotton. In 2002-03, genetically modified cotton formed 34% of the total world exports. International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) held its plenary meeting in Poland wherein 42 governments and 5 international organisations participated. The committee mainly focussed on agriculture and the negative impact of subsidies and other government measures on cotton production and trade. The committee urged governments to encourage cotton trade by reducing tariffs and non-tariff barriers on cotton textiles.
14 Sep 2003, tribuneindia.com	Prospects of cotton output bright Due to normal monsoons this year, cotton production in India is likely to touch 160 lakh bales as against 136 lakh bales last year. According to estimates, total area under cotton cultivation this year is around 85 lakh hectares. Cotton production this year has increased in all major cotton growing states. Area under Bt Cotton cultivation has also increased by around two and half times this year in states like Maharashtra and Gujarat.
10 Sep 2003, timesofindia.indiatimes.com	India, US to identify joint projects in biotechnology The Indo-US Science and Technology Forum, which recently concluded a four day meet in Bangalore on genomics, has recommended setting up of working groups that will identify specific research projects for scientists from the two countries to work on. The projects will cover nutrition and health care aided by biotechnology. The forum, which was set up three years ago, aims to promote R&D and interaction between industry, academia and governments of the two countries in the sphere of science and technology.
10 Sep 2003, economictimes.indiatimes.com	Rains spell well for cotton, board forecasts 12% rise in acreage Favourable rainfall this year has meant that farmers are more inclined to take up cultivation of Bt cotton. According to the Cotton Advisory Board (CAB), area under cotton cultivation will increase by 12% to about 85 lakh hectares in the forthcoming 2003-04 season. CAB has projected production at 1.58 million bales this year as against 1.36 million bales last year. Washington based International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) has projected an increase of about 1.35 million tonnes in world cotton crop production which is still likely to fall short by about 0.74 metric tonnes as against an estimated consumer requirement of 21.23 metric tonnes.
09 Sep 2003, economictimes.indiatimes.com	Desi invents big-ticket GM tech Avestha Gengraine Technologies, a Bangalore based Indian biotech company has invented a technology to genetically modify any kind of seed for breeding new hybrids. This new technology cuts down on labour cost and time, making the process of creating new hybrids more economical. The US has already granted a patent for this unique technology and the company has patented the transgenic plant as well as the process of its gene manipulation. Patent applications are also pending in various other countries. The company expects to introduce seeds based on this technology in the markets within a year.
05 Sep 2003, thehindubusinessline.com	Rs 800-cr investment in biotech sector expected Dr K V Raghavan, Director, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, said that venture capital funds are looking at the biotech industry for investment of funds. He was speaking at a two-day conference called "Biotechnology & Chemical Engineer" organised by Dr. B.V. Raju Institute of Technology, Medak. He expects an investment of about Rs 800 to 1000 crores per anumn in the biotech industry by 2008. New venture capital funds like KSIDC and APIDC-VCL have a large corpus to invest in this sector.
05 Sep 2003, thehindubusinessline.com	Area under cotton may rise 12 pc - Bt cotton coverage likely to treble The Managing Director and Chairman of the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), Mr Vishwa Nath, said at the AGM that due to good monsoons, more certified seeds were used this year. Cultivation of Bt cotton was only done on 40,000 hectares last year, whereas this year the area under cultivation is likely to be around 1.25 lakh hectares. Mr Nath said that the relaxation of the cotton procurement policy by the government of Maharashtra was a significant one. CCI has also started integrated farming experiments in Gujarat, MP, AP and Orissa.
05 Sep 2003, Business Standard	Policy boost for biotech industry RR Shah, secratary, department of industrial policy and promotion has said that the goverment will prepare the proper policy framework to boost India's bio-technology industry. The fiscal and trade regimes for the bio-technology industry should be similar to those of the software industry.