Potential for development of biotechnology remains untapped
S. Prasad
Nothing has been done for establishment of biotech park in Hosur
Hosur: The vast potential for development of plant biotechnology in the industrial town of Hosur remains untapped.
Despite being a prime tissue culture belt in the State, Hosur is finding people investing in only small-scale units in biotechnology ranging from Rs. 50 lakh to Rs.1 crore.
Though investment in biotechnology is going up over the recent years, Bangalore is tapping all the potential.
Though establishment of a biotechnology park in Hosur has been discussed at various levels, nothing concrete has emerged till date, say sources.
Employment
The tissue culture industry in Hosur has grown beyond the supply of plants to the level of providing technology to developed nations.
Unlike genetic engineering, which ensures employment only for highly qualified people, plant biotechnology generates employment among the rural masses, according to Dr. Bharathi, Director, Growmore Biotech.
Tissue culture products produced in Hosur are sent to domestic markets and shipped to Japan, Australia, Germany, Holland, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and the United States.
A biotech park will ensure a common exhibition hall for display of plant products, plant clinic facility, marketing facilities and room for research and development.
It will provide a common platform for entrepreneurs for showcasing their products in the international market in a much better way, he says.
With colleges in the district offering courses in biotechnology, it will also provide scope for young educated graduates to explore the potential of technological ideas in the industry.
The government has not provided any special incentive for the development of biotechnology in Hosur.
The investment in small-scale units can be channelised through a biotech park, which is the need of the hour, the sources add.
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