[India’s] Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has undertaken several activities and programs to promote biotechnology research and development [R&D] in the areas of agriculture biotechnology. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has been coordinating, guiding and managing research and education in agriculture including horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences….
In order to leverage [these] efforts, the DBT and ICAR [have] entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for much-needed emphasis on multi-disciplinary R&D activities….in Agricultural Biotechnology Research and Education.
The MoU between ICAR and DBT….will be implemented with the aim to collaborate with one another in mutually agreed-upon research programs in the areas of agricultural biotechnology, funding of projects, policy issues, regulatory aspects, and other specified areas of National interest.
The major facilities and technology platforms created by both the agencies will be accessible to the national systems. A joint working group will be constituted to [move] the partnership forward. The collaborations also [aim] to promote agri-innovations and start-ups….This flagship synergistic approach [will] be taken up….through networking with the elite institutions in the Country.