Date:28/08/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/08/28/stories/2007082850230100.htm

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Laboratories get recognition

R. Krishnamoorthy

TIRUCHI: The Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi, has recognised the Tissue Culture and Virology laboratories of National Research Centre for Banana (NRCB) here as National Accreditation Centre for genetic fidelity and virus indexing of banana tissue cultured plants. The NRCB has a collection of more than 300 banana varieties from India and abroad, making it the largest banana gene bank. Of the 15 banana-based products it has developed, four have been commercialised by entrepreneurs.

Since its inception in 1993, the centre had been instrumental in ensuring a two-fold increase in banana production and productivity in the country, said its Director M.M. Mustaffa. Scientists of the centre have been recognised as members of various international banana working groups.

With a core funding of Rs. 15.5 crore from the Indian Centre for Agricultural Research, the Centre has also received external funding worth Rs. 3 crore from international organisations and Government departments.