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Plea to develop biotech mangoes

Our Bureau

MUMBAI, July 10

THE Philippines and the United States have signed a $-7 million agreement covering agricultural biotechnology development programme to revolutionise local agricultural research and development, and spur a quantum leap in plant and animal genetics.

The programme aims at developing pest-resistant and high quality seeds. The agreement provides for transfer of technology and gene constructs between the two countries. Crops, livestock and trees are covered by the biotechnology agreement. Interestingl y, an association of mango producers in the Philippines has asked government scientists to genetically improve mangoes in order to increase production and make the Philippines world leader in mango exports. Scientists have even been offered a site for fi eld-testing the genetically improved mangoes.

By genetically developing varieties resistant to pests, the Mindanao Fruit Industry Development Council argued, protection of environment was ensured as it would mean less use of hazardous pesticides and a saving of foreign exchange. The Council was als o pushing for the development of mangoes with extended shelf-life, so they could ship the fruits to more lucrative but distant markets such as Europe and the US.