Date:30/11/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/11/30/stories/2005113002490200.htm

Back Sri Biotech gets DSIR award

Our Bureau

Hyderabad , Nov. 29

SRI BIOTECH has won the national award from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, for research & development contributions in the field of biotechnology.

Addressing newspersons here on Monday, its Chief Executive Officer, Dr K.R.K. Reddy, said the R&D achievements relate to "development of new protocols and delivery systems for control of diseases and pests in agriculture."

Dr Reddy said the company has been focussing on developing technologies for low cost mass production of various bio-control agents such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and insects for nutrient, disease and pest management in agriculture to cater to the needs of farming community.

The in-house R&D centre of the company has developed and commercialised two new products based on plant growth promoting rhizobacteria and entomopathogens, the micro organisms used in disease and pest management. The company is in the process of filing for process patents, he said.The company has registered three entomopathogenic bio-pesticides with the Government.

The company has developed a portfolio of 12 products with a production capacity of 500 tonnes per annum.

According to Dr Reddy, the company is at an advanced stage of negotiations with couple of national level bio-pesticides companies for the marketing of the Sri Biotech products across the country. The company will retain exclusive marketing rights for Andhra Pradesh, he said.