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This story is from March 1, 2006
Indo-US farm pact: It's funds, fruits and fears
With Bush's visit, the two sides are looking to revive ties that fuelled the green revolution of the 1960s.
NEW DELHI: If an impending 'victory' on Indian mangoes tastes sweet, scientists hope the fruits of a new, long-term Indo-US Knowledge Initiative on agriculture will be sweeter.
With US president Bush's visit, the two sides are looking to revive ties that fuelled the green revolution of the 1960s.
What is expected is a three-year, $100-million commitment, fuelling hopes of a second green revolution.
Ties haven't always been as hot over the past two decades in this de-glam but crucial sector. Over the past seven months, however, the two sides have been fleshing out themes and projects as part of the Initiative agreed to by PM Manmohan Singh and Bush last July.
The four initial thrust areas are biotechnology; water management; food processing and use of byproducts and biofuels; education, learning resources, curriculum development and training. Processing is considered particularly important.
Within a week of the announcement, Initiative Board members will videoconference on the logistics of moving ahead. Issues of intellectual property rights (IPR) have to be tackled.
The main difference in the research tie-up this time, says one scientist, is that it won't be a hand-me-down from the US but a full-fledged partnership, with India pitching in. Trade and investment can't be far behind.
Outside government, fears are fuelled by the choice of two US private industry representatives on the board - Monsanto, with a multinational presence in genetically-modified crops, and Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer.
UPA ally CPM fears the two will dominate India's research agenda, and may drive it to areas with the sole aim of rapid commercialisation.
With US president Bush's visit, the two sides are looking to revive ties that fuelled the green revolution of the 1960s.
What is expected is a three-year, $100-million commitment, fuelling hopes of a second green revolution.
Ties haven't always been as hot over the past two decades in this de-glam but crucial sector. Over the past seven months, however, the two sides have been fleshing out themes and projects as part of the Initiative agreed to by PM Manmohan Singh and Bush last July.
They've wrapped up the first list, preparing the ground for announcements during a visit, which will see Bush spend time at an agricultural university in Hyderabad.
The four initial thrust areas are biotechnology; water management; food processing and use of byproducts and biofuels; education, learning resources, curriculum development and training. Processing is considered particularly important.
Within a week of the announcement, Initiative Board members will videoconference on the logistics of moving ahead. Issues of intellectual property rights (IPR) have to be tackled.
The main difference in the research tie-up this time, says one scientist, is that it won't be a hand-me-down from the US but a full-fledged partnership, with India pitching in. Trade and investment can't be far behind.
Outside government, fears are fuelled by the choice of two US private industry representatives on the board - Monsanto, with a multinational presence in genetically-modified crops, and Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer.
UPA ally CPM fears the two will dominate India's research agenda, and may drive it to areas with the sole aim of rapid commercialisation.
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