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Published by the Press, Information & Culture Wing, Embassy of India |
In this Issue Opinion: Kerala: Asia's Cradle of Christianity Feature: Interview with ISRO Chairman
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India - Pakistan Joint Statement issued at Nuvara Eliya, Sri
Lanka INDIA INVITES SAARC NATIONS TO USE ITS GENE BANKS India has invited fellow nations of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to use its gene banks for conserving their crop genetic resources. India has one of the largest gene banks of the world and SAARC countries "may think of utilising these facilities to conserve their valuable germplasm" of crop species, Agriculture Minister Som Pal said. SAARC countries should evolve a common action plan to combat the factors leading to loss and extinction of plant wealth, the minister said. SAARC nations should also jointly resolve issues related to plant genetic resources as patents sought outside the SAARC region on rice, turmeric, neem and chickpea are "undermining the authority of gene-rich countries over their resources," he warned. He asked the member countries to develop a joint approach towards international developments related to ownership and access of plant genetic resources. With plant genetic resources emerging as the most potent tool for economic growth, SAARC nations should evolve a consensus on collection, conservation and utilisation of these resources, Mr Som Pal said. |