AGRI BIOTECH FOUNDATION

Major Activites/Achievement of ABF for Registration with NITI Ayog. , Agri Biotech Foundation is engaged in research, extension and training activities relating to development, dissemination and adoption of agri biotechnologies with proven potential to improve crop performance, ensure sustainability, enhance profitability and uplift livelihood of farmers. Currently ABF is handling 17 research and extension projects funded by Department of Biotechnology, Department of Scientce and Technology, Govt. of India; Indian Council of Agricultural Research; Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (KRVY) through Govt. of Andhra Pradesh and Agricultural University of AP. ABF does not have any funding from overseas agencies. , Our major achievements so far have been setting up of biofertilizer units at Hyderabad and Ananthapuram with facilities to produce over 100 tones/year of Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB), Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Rhizobium; and biopesticides like Trichoderma and Pseudomonas. We also produce over 50,000 tissue cultured banana and teak plants every year. On research front, we have standardized the liquid formulations of the Azotobacter and Azospirillum species that are drought tolerant; developed advanced breeding lines of blackgram resistant to Mungbean Yellow Mosaic Virus disease. ABF has organized over 100 training programmes for farmers, extension workers and researchers to acquire knowledge and skills in adoption of biofertilizers, biopesticides and tissue cultured plants. In addition, public awareness campaigns are organized for college students, general public on virtues of agri-biotechnologies and conducted summer internships for undergraduate students. ABF is also directly involved in extension activities in eight districts covering both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states. Through these activities farmers are provided with improved seed, biofertilizers, and help them setup vermi composing units and raising vegetable nurseries through pro-tray technologies. As a followup, impact of these technologies on farmer s crop productivity and his income generation are monitored.