There are no tinkering labs for farmers anywhere in the country where they can go play around and see. A small marginal farmer dare not to take risks with their holdings. We have to give them chance to see the research, feel and work and not just photographs alone. This lab will help the farmers foster innovations,” Ajit Rangnekar, Director General of RICH said, at the Bio-Asia Conclave in Hyderabad.
Telangana Government-promoted Research and Innovation circle of Hyderabad (RICH) is looking to set up an Agriculture Technology Park in the city to provide farmers with specialized training in farming techniques collated from various Government Research Organizations.
The park will come up in an area of 70-15 acres provided by the Telangana Government while the Centre is expected to assist with Rs 20-25 crore fund size and is expected to be operational by the end of 2018 and will target 1 lakh farmers in the first few years.
According to Ajit Rangnekar, Director General, RICH, “We have received assurances from the Central Government on assistance for the agri tech park to the tune of Rs 20-25 crore. Once operational, we will bring the best of technologies and farming techniques from across the agriculture research institutions like Indian Rice Research Institute, etc.”
He was speaking on the sidelines of RICH’s first anniversary in Hyderabad.
Research and Innovation Circle of Hyderabad (RICH), equivalent to T-hub for sectors such as health, agriculture and defence, under the Ministry of Information and Technology, Government of Telangana, is planning to set up an Agricultural Technology Park, While the location has not yet been decided, RICH is estimating a cost of around Rs 20 crore and is looking out for an area of 75 acres to set up the park. This lab is expected to benefit 50,000 farm families directly or indirectly.
RICH is deliberating on the location to set up the park either in the Agricultural University or somewhere closer to the farmers.
RICH has been focusing on three sectors, primarily life sciences and pharma, food and agriculture and aerospace and defence from the past one year. It celebrated its first anniversary at the Bio Asia conclave.
“RICH has been setup with a motto to innovate, integrate and create impact. RICH needs to go to the next level and it should not confine itself to Telangana but contribute to the Nation by taking a consultative approach and creating strong statement of impact,” Telangana Minister for Information and Technology, KT Rama Rao said in the event.
In the next year, RICH will focus on creating a common single-use of manufacturing facility for biologics.
