Proper development and functioning of an organism depends on precise spatial and temporal expression of all its genes. These coordinated expression-patterns are maintained primarily through the process of transcriptional regulation. Transcriptional regulation is mediated by proteins binding to regulatory elements on the DNA in a combinatorial manner, where particular combinations of transcription factor binding sites establish specific regulatory codes. In this review, we survey experimental and computational approaches geared towards the identification of proximal and distal gene regulatory elements in the genomes of complex eukaryotes. Available approaches that decipher the genetic structure and function of regulatory elements by exploiting various sources of information like gene expression data, chromatin structure, DNA-binding specificities of transcription factors, cooperativity of transcription factors, etc. are highlighted. We also discuss the relevance of regulatory elements in the context of human health through examples of mutations in some of these regions having serious implications in misregulation of genes and being strongly associated with human disorders.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Detection of interruptions in the GAA trinucleotide repeat expansion in the FXN gene of Friedreich ataxia
Friedreich ataxia is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by the expansion of a GAA trinucleotide repeat sequence within the first intron of the FXN gene. Interruptions in the GAA repeat may serve to alleviate the inhibitory effects of the GAA expansion on FXN gene expression and to decrease pathogenicity. We have developed a simple and rapid PCR- and restriction enzyme–based assay to asess the purity of GAA repeat sequences.
High transfection efficiency of neural stem cells with magnetofection
Primary neural stem cells (NSCs) can be cultivated and differentiated in vitro
but are difficult to transfect using conventional methods. We describe a simple and rapid magnetofection-based method suitable for the lab bench as
well as high-throughput projects. Our method yields high transfection efficiency and can be used for deciphering the genetic control of neural cell
differentiation.
but are difficult to transfect using conventional methods. We describe a simple and rapid magnetofection-based method suitable for the lab bench as
well as high-throughput projects. Our method yields high transfection efficiency and can be used for deciphering the genetic control of neural cell
differentiation.
Evolution in Action
Observing a split in the butterfly family tree
Larry Gilbert got hooked on observing butterflies when he was a just a kid."I found a chrysalis of a black swallowtail in a lot near our house. I raised it in a Coke bottle in the window, and have been interested in butterflies ever since," says Gilbert, a professor of integrative biology at the University of Texas.
In a rooftop greenhouse on the Austin campus, where he has worked since 1971, and as director of the 82-acre Brackenridge Field Lab just a few minutes away, Gilbert focuses much of his research on Heliconius butterflies.
From the southern United States south through Mexico, Central and South America, these tropical butterflies have a huge variety of color patterns. Their dazzling array of colors is primarily to warn predators that they taste bad, so local birds learn to avoid them.
"The color pattern is a complex of two forces, the anti-predator force, which is probably the predominant thing, but the details may involve the selection of the right mate," says Gilbert.
"Heliconius are not just beautiful, they are smart in the sense of having flexible behavior," continues Gilbert, as he points out several butterflies on passion vines in the campus greenhouse. "So in nature, they can learn the position of these flowers and return to those on a regular basis. This was stuff I worked on as a grad student. If you put numbers on their wings, they are able to cruise around and show up at the same little inconspicuous flower at the same time every day. They run a very complicated route in the forest, and then they go roost in the same place every night. "
By being so efficient in finding food sources, Heliconius can expand their lifespan from a month and a half to six months. That also means they can extend their reproductive output from about 200 eggs in their lifetime to about 2,000 eggs.
With support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), Gilbert and his colleagues are studying a population of Heliconius that they think is in the process of evolving into two distinct species. It's known as "speciation" when one species branches into two that no longer interbreed, and for Heliconius, the process involves those color patterns.
While evolution is unfolding all the time, it is rare for scientists to be able to observe it up close, as they are doing now with a population of Heliconius in Ecuador. The simplest reason for a split in any family tree is geography, explains Marcus Kronforst, who worked with Gilbert on Heliconius studies and is now at Harvard University.
"So we are used to, say, a mountain range coming up and splitting a formerly interbreeding population into two. The individuals can't make it over the mountain so they are separated on the two sides," explains Kronforst. "They spend maybe millions of generations like that, and over time they become so different that even if the mountains disappear, or if it is a river splitting them, if that disappears, and they come back into contact, they can no longer interbreed."
But with the Ecuador population, these biologists are seeing something different.
"So what we are finding is the butterflies shift their color pattern to avoid predators, but it has this secondary consequence of causing them to no longer recognize each other as potential mates, and we think, actually causing speciation," says Kronforst.
In Ecuador, the scientists observed that yellow and white butterflies of the same species live and mate with each other. But when studying them in captivity, the biologists discovered an interesting twist.
"There is an incipient process going on there, where the yellows are preferring yellows, but the whites are not caring much about which color it is," says Gilbert. "So, it's an initial step in the direction of correlating color with mate preference, which under some circumstances could lead to speciation." They have been comparing the Ecuador butterflies with some of their close cousins in Costa Rica where the two different colored butterflies are actually two different species.
"In Costa Rica, they are genetically different and we can tell them apart," says Kronforst. "But in Ecuador, the only place on the whole genome where they are different is the gene that causes color, because everywhere else that we look, genetically they are exactly the same."
Gilbert says there are thousands of color patterns possible from Heliconius hybrids, and sometimes the offspring don't look like either mom or dad. Evolution may have hidden some of those patterns. "So basically, what we're talking about here are patterns that in the course of the evolution have been replaced. But they haven't been done away with totally. And so, it's very much like a window on your computer that is now not being shown on the screen, but with the click of a mouse, you can show it on the screen," says Gilbert.
As director of the Brackenridge Lab, Gilbert oversees butterfly research but also a wide array of other biological studies. "This is some serious nature," he says, as he points out one of the large ponds at the field lab. "We have everything from fire ant research, to frogs, butterflies, snakes, vegetation studies, and biofuel studies."
At Brackenridge, there is a large butterfly greenhouse, an open habitat designed as a breeding "free for all."
"So the butterflies that are out in the open in here are ones that are in an active hybrid zone. And so, it's just allowing it to cook along, and generate whatever variety might come about," says Gilbert.
Along with his butterfly studies, Gilbert has also been studying invasive fire ants for several years. They are a costly problem for Texas farmers and ranchers. Huge populations of these non-native fire ants, originally from South America, have been attacking livestock, small birds, mammals, and reptiles across the south for decades. They have also caused electrical fires by getting into circuit boxes.
Gilbert has been using phorid flies as a possible natural way to control the invasive ants. These female flies inject an egg into the fire ant's body. The injected egg develops in the ant's thorax, killing the ant in about ten days. In some areas the flies are being integrated into the more common pesticide control of the ants.
The Brackenridge lab is a mecca for environmental biology, ecology and evolution studies. "It's also a place where faculty can set up research projects, such as this shelter for native switchgrass for biofuels study," Gilbert says, showing off some new growth.
Graduate students or teaching assistants on campus can set up and monitor experiments, and some faculty members do some of their teaching at the field lab. "Having a facility like this where undergrads are initiating research enables us to put students onto gathering data that would not otherwise be funded or supported," notes Gilbert.
Scientists have found a population of tropical butterflies that may be on its way to splitting into two distinct species based on wing color and mate preference. Listen to the researchers describe the relationship between diverging color patterns in Heliconius butterflies and the long-term divergence of populations into new and distinct species in the audio slide window.
Credit: Nicola Chamberlain, Harvard University
Credit: Zina Deretsky, National Science Foundation.
Credit: Rob Oakleaf.
When geographically isolated green-eyed tree frogs reconnected with their former group after a million years, the females exercised a newfound mate selectivity based on a unique male mating call. This ensured the finicky females paired only with males from their new group and generated a distinct frog species in just 8,000 years or so. Learn more in this news release.
Credit: Nicolle Rager Fuller, National Science Foundation.
Non-self Pollen Fertilizing a Petunia
The female part of the petunia flower secretes an enzyme that is designed to deter pollen tube growth, thereby preventing fertilization. However, in the cases where the pollen has come from a genetically different plant, the pollen produces its own protein that combats the pistil's enzyme. With the enzyme out of the way, the pollen tube can keep growing and fertilization can occur.
Biotechnology in agriculture
By EMIL Q. JAVIER, Ph.D., President, National Academy of Science and Technology
February 26, 2011, 11:28pm
At the apex of the hierarchy of national goals is the imperative to eliminate extreme poverty and hunger among Filipinos. Sadly, about 27 percent of our population is mired below the poverty threshold.
Poverty is more severe among the rural population than among the people in the bigger towns and cities. In fact, the mass of the poor crowding the urban slums are rural people who flee the countryside to seek employment in the cities. Thus until such time that the services and industry sectors create sufficient jobs and livelihoods, the burden of raising our people from abject want rests on agriculture.
However, the harsh reality on the ground is that we are running out of arable land and irrigation water to produce enough food for our people. With our current population of about 95 million and available arable land of 10 million hectares, every Filipino has only 1,050 square meters of land with which to produce his/her food needs. With the continuing rapid growth of the population in the absence of a national consensus to moderate growth through family planning, and the rising inordinate conversion of arable land into industrial parks and settlements, per capita availability of land can only grow worse. The same is true for fresh water for irrigation.
The only solution, other than sending our people away as overseas workers, is the modernization and further intensification of agriculture.
We simply have to produce more and make more efficient use of scarce land and water resources without destroying these natural resources.
On the other hand, the two major threats to the environment – the loss of habitat and thereby, of biodiversity, and soil erosion – are associated with the conversion into arable cropping of the fragile forestlands.
Ironically, contrary to common wisdom, in order to conserve the environment, we must intensify agriculture on existing farmlands to diminish the need for conversion of what is left of our natural forests and wetlands.
Thus we have to avail of all technologies to modernize and further enhance productivity in agriculture without causing additional harm to the environment.
Much had been achieved with traditional and conventional modes of production, i.e., with proper cultural practices, with use of high yielding varieties including hybrids, various modes of pest and disease control (integrated pest management), proper postharvest handling, processing, storage, and transport. Higher planes of productivity have been achieved over time as new knowledge and modern technologies were made to bear on the challenge of higher productivity. The potential of conventional technologies has not been exhausted by all means and more can be expected in the future.
Among the means at our disposal to intensify agriculture are the so-called “biotechnologies.” Biotechnology is broadly defined as “any technique that uses living organisms to modify a product, to improve plants or animals, or to develop microorganisms for specific use.” However this encompassing definition is not very meaningful because this includes practically all agricultural practices except those which are obviously engineering like land preparation, drying, and transport.
More meaningful is the distinction between conventional biotechnologies which do not require artificial manipulation of DNA versus the more modern biotechnologies which require manipulation of inheritance at the molecular level. This dichotomy is significant because conventional biotechnologies are by and large largely acceptable but there is some controversy, resistance, and uneasiness with molecular biotechnologies.
A large part of the agriculture we know today has to do with the manipulation of the genes or units of genetic inheritance of crops, livestock, and fish. They are manipulated by the conventional processes of sexual hybridization of parents of contrasting characters followed by selection among the progenies of succeeding generations which combine the best features of the parents.
However, new knowledge in biology and chemistry has made possible the identification of genes, their location in the chromosome, and the elucidation of their functions. With the New Biology, sections of DNA (the genes) can be isolated, characterized, reassembled into appropriate constructs, and then precisely and willfully transferred from one organism to another, across the sterility barriers which divide plants, animals, and microorganisms into orders, tribes and families – genetic divides which had been inviolate until recent years.
These new methods are called genetic transformations and their products, transgenics, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
This transfer and expression of genes from one organism to another remotely related species provided additional unequivocal proof of the unity of life and its common origin in the very distant past. However this novelty has made some people uneasy and fearful of its unknown consequences. Thus there is lobbying among naturalists to ban the applications of the New Biology in agriculture although there seems to be little hesitation in their use for production of drugs and other applications in human health such as gene therapy.
Because of the interrelatedness of living organisms with one another and their environment (the ecosystems), changes in any part of the ecosystem have potential consequences, both good and bad, to the rest. This has been the history of technologies in human civilization. Technologies invariably have consequences – beneficial ones, which is why they were developed in the first place and adverse ones, which are unintended and unplanned.
It is, therefore, a matter of assessing and anticipating the positive and adverse consequences of technologies and weighing their relative benefits and costs to society and the whole of humanity. Since individuals vary a lot in terms of their genetic constitution, personal circumstances, culture, and preferences, the ultimate choice is left to the individual.
It is in this sense that we should appreciate the potential of the new methods of molecular biology. It takes more than good seeds to raise productivity in agriculture and create meaningful livelihoods for the poor in the countryside. This novel class of modern biotechnologies could be useful when conventional technologies fail, when conventional methods take too long and are too expensive to develop. On the other hand, modern biotechnologies by themselves are not always useful enough. Almost invariably, these genetic transformation technologies are most beneficial when taken as adjuncts/supplements to conventional means. All of the 950 million hectares of GMO crops planted globally since 1996 have been conventional hybrids and high yielding varieties (HYVs) with one or two alien genes added.
DNA marker-assisted plant breeding is another good example. In conventional plant breeding, the tens of thousands of genes from each of the parents are combined in the hybrid. Six to eight generations of backcrossing are needed to recover the desired essential gene combinations of the recurrent parent plus one or a few new genes from the other parent. With a life cycle of 3-4 months for most arable crops, and in the tropics, where one can grow two generations a year, this means easily five years of development. With genetic transformation techniques, the 6-8 generations of backcrossing are not necessary because only one or two novel genes are transferred, not the whole genome. Thus the desired product can be developed in two generations. Moreover since selection is conducted at the genetic level, a few hundreds would suffice; there is no need to grow hundreds of thousands of the progenies.
However, the original preparatory work can be protracted and costly. The genome of the species must be fully mapped and the transformation and regeneration techniques perfected before GMO technology can be routinely applied.
The developed countries and the huge multinational corporations in the vanguard of modern transgenic technology commercialization naturally will have little interest in minor crops and minor traits (the so-called “orphan” crops/traits) of unique interest to us. Therefore, we must master the new science ourselves to advance and protect our national interest. We must develop national capability to generate the technology ourselves and install the system to regulate the new technologies to assure our people that these products are safe to eat and not harmful to the environment.
However, unlike in high-energy physics and the new engineering sciences, the required molecular biology infrastructure is relatively affordable for a developing country like the Philippines with a fair scientific and higher education system.
Thus the present enlightened national policy of safe and responsible use of modern biotechnology, including and, specifically, transgenic technology, is appropriate, timely, and affordable.
Therefore, we must express in no uncertain terms our objection to the well-meaning but misdirected efforts of some sectors to ban research and deployment of transgenic crops, livestock, and fish in our country. We must not deny our farmers and ourselves as consumers the benefits of new science which are properly vetted and regulated.
Moreover, let us go slow responding to the siren call of organic agriculture. We should adopt sustainable practices by all means but we must at the same time bring down the cost of food to make them accessible to the poor. It is debatable whether organic produce is more nutritious and tastes better than conventional food but for sure, organic produce is more expensive. Let the farmers who can profitably grow organic produce exercise the option. But organic agriculture should not crowd out mainstream conventional agriculture in our modernization efforts.
Poverty is more severe among the rural population than among the people in the bigger towns and cities. In fact, the mass of the poor crowding the urban slums are rural people who flee the countryside to seek employment in the cities. Thus until such time that the services and industry sectors create sufficient jobs and livelihoods, the burden of raising our people from abject want rests on agriculture.
However, the harsh reality on the ground is that we are running out of arable land and irrigation water to produce enough food for our people. With our current population of about 95 million and available arable land of 10 million hectares, every Filipino has only 1,050 square meters of land with which to produce his/her food needs. With the continuing rapid growth of the population in the absence of a national consensus to moderate growth through family planning, and the rising inordinate conversion of arable land into industrial parks and settlements, per capita availability of land can only grow worse. The same is true for fresh water for irrigation.
The only solution, other than sending our people away as overseas workers, is the modernization and further intensification of agriculture.
We simply have to produce more and make more efficient use of scarce land and water resources without destroying these natural resources.
On the other hand, the two major threats to the environment – the loss of habitat and thereby, of biodiversity, and soil erosion – are associated with the conversion into arable cropping of the fragile forestlands.
Ironically, contrary to common wisdom, in order to conserve the environment, we must intensify agriculture on existing farmlands to diminish the need for conversion of what is left of our natural forests and wetlands.
Thus we have to avail of all technologies to modernize and further enhance productivity in agriculture without causing additional harm to the environment.
Much had been achieved with traditional and conventional modes of production, i.e., with proper cultural practices, with use of high yielding varieties including hybrids, various modes of pest and disease control (integrated pest management), proper postharvest handling, processing, storage, and transport. Higher planes of productivity have been achieved over time as new knowledge and modern technologies were made to bear on the challenge of higher productivity. The potential of conventional technologies has not been exhausted by all means and more can be expected in the future.
Among the means at our disposal to intensify agriculture are the so-called “biotechnologies.” Biotechnology is broadly defined as “any technique that uses living organisms to modify a product, to improve plants or animals, or to develop microorganisms for specific use.” However this encompassing definition is not very meaningful because this includes practically all agricultural practices except those which are obviously engineering like land preparation, drying, and transport.
More meaningful is the distinction between conventional biotechnologies which do not require artificial manipulation of DNA versus the more modern biotechnologies which require manipulation of inheritance at the molecular level. This dichotomy is significant because conventional biotechnologies are by and large largely acceptable but there is some controversy, resistance, and uneasiness with molecular biotechnologies.
A large part of the agriculture we know today has to do with the manipulation of the genes or units of genetic inheritance of crops, livestock, and fish. They are manipulated by the conventional processes of sexual hybridization of parents of contrasting characters followed by selection among the progenies of succeeding generations which combine the best features of the parents.
However, new knowledge in biology and chemistry has made possible the identification of genes, their location in the chromosome, and the elucidation of their functions. With the New Biology, sections of DNA (the genes) can be isolated, characterized, reassembled into appropriate constructs, and then precisely and willfully transferred from one organism to another, across the sterility barriers which divide plants, animals, and microorganisms into orders, tribes and families – genetic divides which had been inviolate until recent years.
These new methods are called genetic transformations and their products, transgenics, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
This transfer and expression of genes from one organism to another remotely related species provided additional unequivocal proof of the unity of life and its common origin in the very distant past. However this novelty has made some people uneasy and fearful of its unknown consequences. Thus there is lobbying among naturalists to ban the applications of the New Biology in agriculture although there seems to be little hesitation in their use for production of drugs and other applications in human health such as gene therapy.
Because of the interrelatedness of living organisms with one another and their environment (the ecosystems), changes in any part of the ecosystem have potential consequences, both good and bad, to the rest. This has been the history of technologies in human civilization. Technologies invariably have consequences – beneficial ones, which is why they were developed in the first place and adverse ones, which are unintended and unplanned.
It is, therefore, a matter of assessing and anticipating the positive and adverse consequences of technologies and weighing their relative benefits and costs to society and the whole of humanity. Since individuals vary a lot in terms of their genetic constitution, personal circumstances, culture, and preferences, the ultimate choice is left to the individual.
It is in this sense that we should appreciate the potential of the new methods of molecular biology. It takes more than good seeds to raise productivity in agriculture and create meaningful livelihoods for the poor in the countryside. This novel class of modern biotechnologies could be useful when conventional technologies fail, when conventional methods take too long and are too expensive to develop. On the other hand, modern biotechnologies by themselves are not always useful enough. Almost invariably, these genetic transformation technologies are most beneficial when taken as adjuncts/supplements to conventional means. All of the 950 million hectares of GMO crops planted globally since 1996 have been conventional hybrids and high yielding varieties (HYVs) with one or two alien genes added.
DNA marker-assisted plant breeding is another good example. In conventional plant breeding, the tens of thousands of genes from each of the parents are combined in the hybrid. Six to eight generations of backcrossing are needed to recover the desired essential gene combinations of the recurrent parent plus one or a few new genes from the other parent. With a life cycle of 3-4 months for most arable crops, and in the tropics, where one can grow two generations a year, this means easily five years of development. With genetic transformation techniques, the 6-8 generations of backcrossing are not necessary because only one or two novel genes are transferred, not the whole genome. Thus the desired product can be developed in two generations. Moreover since selection is conducted at the genetic level, a few hundreds would suffice; there is no need to grow hundreds of thousands of the progenies.
However, the original preparatory work can be protracted and costly. The genome of the species must be fully mapped and the transformation and regeneration techniques perfected before GMO technology can be routinely applied.
The developed countries and the huge multinational corporations in the vanguard of modern transgenic technology commercialization naturally will have little interest in minor crops and minor traits (the so-called “orphan” crops/traits) of unique interest to us. Therefore, we must master the new science ourselves to advance and protect our national interest. We must develop national capability to generate the technology ourselves and install the system to regulate the new technologies to assure our people that these products are safe to eat and not harmful to the environment.
However, unlike in high-energy physics and the new engineering sciences, the required molecular biology infrastructure is relatively affordable for a developing country like the Philippines with a fair scientific and higher education system.
Thus the present enlightened national policy of safe and responsible use of modern biotechnology, including and, specifically, transgenic technology, is appropriate, timely, and affordable.
Therefore, we must express in no uncertain terms our objection to the well-meaning but misdirected efforts of some sectors to ban research and deployment of transgenic crops, livestock, and fish in our country. We must not deny our farmers and ourselves as consumers the benefits of new science which are properly vetted and regulated.
Moreover, let us go slow responding to the siren call of organic agriculture. We should adopt sustainable practices by all means but we must at the same time bring down the cost of food to make them accessible to the poor. It is debatable whether organic produce is more nutritious and tastes better than conventional food but for sure, organic produce is more expensive. Let the farmers who can profitably grow organic produce exercise the option. But organic agriculture should not crowd out mainstream conventional agriculture in our modernization efforts.
10 percent global rise in biotech crops: study
Sunday, 27 February 2011.
Global plantings of genetically modified crops increased 10 percent in 2010 compared to the prior year, according to a study released Tuesday by an organization that promotes crop biotechnology.
Last year, 15.4 million farmers in 29 countries planted genetically modified crops on 148 million hectares (366 million acres), said the report from the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA).
The group's chairman, Clive James, said a rapid increase since 1996 shows that "biotech crops are the fastest-adopted crop technology in the history of modern agriculture."
The United States remained the largest biotech crop growing country with nearly 67 million hectares (165 million acres) of soybeans, corn and cotton.
Brazil was second with 25 million hectares (62 million acres), an increase of 19 percent over 2009.
Developing countries grew 48 percent of biotech crops last year, the report said, adding that they will surpass industrialized countries by 2015.
US envoy advises using bio-cotton to boost output
| February 28, 2011 | |
 | |
 The start of the first Cotton Business Forum was marked with an appeal from the the United States Ambassador to Cameroon, who pleaded in support of biotechnology. The participants at the first Cotton Business Forum which was held in Yaounde were made aware of the advantages of Biotechnology, like it being an economical and sustainable alternative to boost the competitiveness of Central Africa’s cotton and textile sector. Robert P Jackson, the US Ambassador, in a keynote address to the participants from various countries, stressed on the fact that, even today around 300,000 families in Cameroon depend on cotton for their livelihood, in spite of that the cotton output here has plummeted by more than 50 percent over the last five years. When the industry engages so many people it should also result in better output, which is essential to satisfy the domestic demand, he said and advised that the industry should adapt to agricultural biotechnology to raise the cotton output and thereby cash in on the historic high cotton prices that the world markets are offering presently. He further said that, biotechnology flaunts a 15-year set record of risk-free use and proven results. While citing the example of India he stated that, cotton farmers in India adapted to biotech cotton in 2002 which helped them to raise their production to double by 2008. This not only ensured higher returns, but even helped the country to develop from a cotton importing country to a cotton exporting country with a vibrant textile sector. Such a suggestion was reflective of the sincerity with which the participants opened the Forum aimed at upgrading the domestic production systems and networks of cotton and textile firms in the Central Africa, a sub-part of Africa where cotton production takes place in three countries. More than 200,000 cotton growers in the northern part of Cameroon functioning under the gamut of the Cotton Development Company, SODECOTON, produce majority of the country’s cotton. The region, last year produced 111,000 metric tons of cotton, and aims to produce 150,000 tons this year. | |
India budget: More measures to boost agri, food processing sector
NEW DELHI (Commodity Online) : In an attempt to boost India’s agriculture sector output, country’s finance minister Pranab Mukherjee said he will extend the benefit of investment linked deduction to businesses engaged in the production of fertilizers.
Here are the major measures announced for agriculture sector
Removal of supply bottlenecks in the food sector will be in focus in 2011-12
* To raise target of credit flow to agriculture sector to 4.75 trillion rupees
* Gives 3 percent interest subsidy to farmers in 2011-12
* Cold storage chains to be given infrastructure status
* Capitalisation of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) of 30 billion rupees in a phased manner
* To provide 3 billion rupees for 60,000 hectares under palm oil plantation
* Actively considering new fertiliser policy for urea
Presenting his second budget for the second UPA government, he also announced a package of measures to improve the availability of storage and warehouse facilities for agricultural produce as well as to incentivize food processing.
Pranab extended full exemption from excise duty to air-conditioning equipment and refrigeration panels for cold chain infrastructure including conveyor belts in the full exemption from excise duty to equipment used in cold storages, mandis and warehouses.
A concessional rate of basic customs duty of 5 per cent was provided to specified agricultural machinery in the last budget. This duty is being reduced further to 2.5 per cent and the concession is also being extended to parts of such machinery to encourage their domestic production.
Reduce the basic customs duty on micro-irrigation equipment from 7.5 per cent to 5 per cent.
De-oiled rice bran cake constitutes an important ingredient of cattle feed and its improved availability would have a positive impact on milk production. He proposed to provide full exemption from basic customs duty for de-oiled rice brancake and an export duty of 10 per cent would be levied to discourage its export.
He also introduced ceratin measures for the manufacturing sector such as reducing basic customs duty on raw silk (not thrown) from 30 to 5 per cent.
He reduced basic customs duty from 5 per cent to 2.5 per cent on certain textile intermediates and inputs for chemicals, ferro-alloys and paper.
reduced basic customs duty on certain specified inputs for manufacture of certain technical fibre and yarn from 7.5 per cent to 5 per cent and fully exempted stainless steel scrap from basic customs duty.
Pranab also reduced import duties on specified raw material for the manufacture of syringes and needles to 5 per cent basic and 4 per cent CVD.
extended the concession available to parts, components and accessories for manufacture of mobile handsets till 31st March, 2012 and to include few more items in its ambit.
He also expanded the raw material list for manufacture of specified electronic components that are fully exempt from basic customs duty and reduced excise duty (and hence CVD) on parts of ink-jet and laser-jet printers from 10 per cent to 5 per cent.
Here are the major measures announced for agriculture sector
Removal of supply bottlenecks in the food sector will be in focus in 2011-12
* To raise target of credit flow to agriculture sector to 4.75 trillion rupees
* Gives 3 percent interest subsidy to farmers in 2011-12
* Cold storage chains to be given infrastructure status
* Capitalisation of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) of 30 billion rupees in a phased manner
* To provide 3 billion rupees for 60,000 hectares under palm oil plantation
* Actively considering new fertiliser policy for urea
Presenting his second budget for the second UPA government, he also announced a package of measures to improve the availability of storage and warehouse facilities for agricultural produce as well as to incentivize food processing.
Pranab extended full exemption from excise duty to air-conditioning equipment and refrigeration panels for cold chain infrastructure including conveyor belts in the full exemption from excise duty to equipment used in cold storages, mandis and warehouses.
A concessional rate of basic customs duty of 5 per cent was provided to specified agricultural machinery in the last budget. This duty is being reduced further to 2.5 per cent and the concession is also being extended to parts of such machinery to encourage their domestic production.
Reduce the basic customs duty on micro-irrigation equipment from 7.5 per cent to 5 per cent.
De-oiled rice bran cake constitutes an important ingredient of cattle feed and its improved availability would have a positive impact on milk production. He proposed to provide full exemption from basic customs duty for de-oiled rice brancake and an export duty of 10 per cent would be levied to discourage its export.
He also introduced ceratin measures for the manufacturing sector such as reducing basic customs duty on raw silk (not thrown) from 30 to 5 per cent.
He reduced basic customs duty from 5 per cent to 2.5 per cent on certain textile intermediates and inputs for chemicals, ferro-alloys and paper.
reduced basic customs duty on certain specified inputs for manufacture of certain technical fibre and yarn from 7.5 per cent to 5 per cent and fully exempted stainless steel scrap from basic customs duty.
Pranab also reduced import duties on specified raw material for the manufacture of syringes and needles to 5 per cent basic and 4 per cent CVD.
extended the concession available to parts, components and accessories for manufacture of mobile handsets till 31st March, 2012 and to include few more items in its ambit.
He also expanded the raw material list for manufacture of specified electronic components that are fully exempt from basic customs duty and reduced excise duty (and hence CVD) on parts of ink-jet and laser-jet printers from 10 per cent to 5 per cent.
Ghana offers mangoes to sweeten ties with India
Accra, Feb 28 (IANS) Ghana has acquired 20,000 hectares of land for mango cultivation and has now asked a group of top Indian businessmen to see how it could fit in their investment plans.
A 35-member delegation of the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) arrived here to hold a two-day business meeting with their Ghanaian counterparts, the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), to further strengthen the growing trade between the two countries.
The FICCI team is led by group chairman of DCS Limited, Harpinder Singh Narula, and it is made up of chief executives of some major Indian companies representing agriculture and food processing, information and communication technology and mining. They would also explore ways of investing in the Ghanaian economy.
Speaking at the opening of the two-day meeting, Narula said that the west African nation had become a promising business destination because of the country's natural resources and high literacy rate.
'The country has a dynamic private sector with a business friendly environment and above all a progressive policy regime to boost trade.
'Ghana occupies an important place in India's trade promotion programme,' Narula said.
Appiah Donyina, director of exports at the ministry trade and industry in Accra, said that the Ghanaian government has acquired 20,000 hectares of land for mango cultivation in the three northern regions of the country as part of the national mango plantation projects that is aimed at developing mango orchards over the next five years.
Donyina asked the delegation to take a careful look at the project to see how it could fit into their over-all investment plans.
'India is currently one of the largest exporters of mangoes to the European Union and Ghana is offering further opportunities to enhance that,' he said.
'As part of efforts to ensure that Ghana's manufacturing sector remained competitive, the ministry has established a Tariff Advisory Board to protect the trade sector from unfair business practices and goods imported into the country,' Donyina added.
AGI president Nana Owusu Afari said Ghana has a lot to learn from India, as result of the highly level of growth that the Indian economy has seen over the past few years.
Budget Buzz: Allocation of 300 crore To Promote Pulses Will Boost Domestic Production
| Capital Market / 13:59 , Feb 28, 2011 | |
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US farmers hire movie stars to sell nuts in Asia
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) — Chinese movie star Gao Yuan Yuan ambled in front of blooming almond trees, smelled the flowers, learned about pollination and even got stung by a bee — all while two Chinese television crews filmed her for a documentary and television series focused on California's almond country.
The almond industry has hired Gao as its ambassador in China, and its effort is just one of many California nut growers are making to capture new markets in developing countries. U.S. farm exports reached an all-time high of $115.8 billion last year, and experts say developing nations such as China and India have huge potential for future growth.
China surpassed Canada to emerge as the top market for U.S. agricultural exports last year with $17.5 billion in sales, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
"Everybody sees the Asia Pacific region as the place to be in the foreseeable future and is trying to establish a presence there to be a player in those emerging markets," said Dr. Mechel Paggi, director of the Center for Agricultural Business at California State University, Fresno.
California's agricultural exports have increased steadily for the past seven years, even through the recession, and the most rapid growth has been in nut sales. Almonds, walnuts and pistachios are now some of state's top exports. But experts say that if the specialty crop industry hopes to continue that trend, it will need smart marketing to get people to eat more of their products.
"You have to take in cultural considerations," said Becky Sereno, international marketing specialist for the Almond Board of California. "There are deep rooted cultural and even medicinal traditions, connotations and perceptions in these cultures."
Hence, the hiring of movie stars such as Gao. People in their home countries feel a connection to them, and they "portray an image of a healthy, successful life. People look up to them as somebody they aspire to be," Sereno said.
The Almond Board paid for Gao's trip to the orchards near Bakersfield this month so she could participate in the shooting of the documentary and TV series. She's also featured in print ads and billboards the group has paid to have installed in bus shelters and print media and may appear in a series of TV commercials.
A similar campaign is ongoing in India, where the Almond Board hired Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor to appear in television spots clad in a traditional Hindu sari during the fall festival season.
The Almond Board ramped up its marketing in Asia in response to record shipments in recent years, Sereno said. China and India were among the top four almond export destinations last year. Exports to China have risen from 16 million to 133 million pounds over the past five years.
Other nut growers also are targeting Asian consumers. The Western Pistachio Association has been pushing sales with billboards and in-store displays and promotions, and it recently announced that Miss California Arianna Afsar, who has adopted pistachios as her official snack, will do a marketing tour in Asia this year. Asfar, a former contestant on Fox's "American Idol," is part Bengali.
Like almonds, pistachio exports have expanded rapidly: Sales to China have gone from $5 million to $109 million in six years, said Judy Hirigoyen, the pistachio association's global marketing director. California overtook Iran as the world's No. 1 pistachio exporter in 2008, when Iran experienced a severe freeze.
An increased interest in health among Asia's growing middle class has helped boost sales of nuts and other specialty crops, and marketers are tapping into that, said Jim Zion of Clovis-based Meridian Nut Growers and chairman of the Western Pistachio Association.
But they still have challenges to overcome. In India, where there is no tradition of snacking, the Almond Board has tried to introduce both the idea of snacking and its nuts as a healthy convenience food. Traditionally, people in India have given almonds as gifts or used them in ceremonies and in traditional desserts.
The California Walnut Board and Commission, which credits strong growth in China and Turkey for the sharp increase in walnut exports in the past two years, also is trying to change consumers' behavior. Walnuts have traditionally been eaten in China as sweet or salt-washed snacks. The Walnut Board has hired chefs to teach bakers and cooks in the hotel and restaurant industries how to cook with raw walnuts.
Along with the cultural differences, exporters face high tariffs, electricity shortages and infrastructure that makes delivery difficult, Paggi said. But he predicted as these issues are addressed, more California industries will look to sell in Asia.
"There's more middle class consumers in China," Paggi said, "than there are people in the U.S. — and that number is growing all the time."
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Agriculture budget leaves Yeddyurappa complacent, farmers irritant.
Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa stands accused of being complacent with his presentation of the agriculture budget, for he seems to be the only person happy about it. The farmers, for whom the budget was conceptualised, are not so content about its offerings.
In a meet organised to analyse the state budget on agriculture held in the legislature house by the Karnataka Pranta Raitha Sangha (KPRS) on Saturday, many farmers condemned the budget. They said that it is a boon to the land mafia and a bane to the agricultural labourers.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) state secretary GN Nagaraj, who delivered the inaugural address, said that the so-called agricultural budget presented by Yeddyurappa would snatch the ownership ofmiddle-class farmers and would hand the ownership to private companies. “The budget also did not shed light on the facilities that the agricultural labourers can avail,” he pointed out.
Farmers opined that the proposed amendment to the Land Reforms Act would encourage land mafia across the state as there would be relaxation of buying and selling of agricultural lands. “The chief minister spoke about offering loans to farmers with 1 per cent interest. However, he neglected lakhs of farmers who are burdened with loans from private banks,” said Raghu K, a farmer from Devanahalli.
KPRS general secretary JC Bayya Reddy said that the agricultural budget is more of a media hype and it is nothing but a ‘cut and paste’ exercise.
Reddy further stated that there are hidden interests of the Sangh Parivar, as the budget allocated special funds and lands to organic farming, ‘goshalas’, and bio-fuel
Need for second green revolution: Pawar
“The farmer takes care of the needs of one billion people. His condition must be improved”
Stressing the need for a “a second green revolution” as called for in the current Economic Survey, Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said this would be one of India's major achievements in the coming years.
“We feel, with our efforts, our nation's major achievement in the next five years will be a second green revolution, not just in crops, but also in fisheries, meat, eggs, fruits and vegetables,” Mr. Pawar told reporters on the sidelines of a party meet on Panchayati Raj on Saturday.
He highlighted various areas of thrust, namely water availability, reduction in interest rates on farm loans from 12 to five per cent and more, the need to factor in cost of cultivation in the prices of agricultural produce and the need for research in agriculture.
In his address, he cautioned against ignoring 62 per cent of the country dependent on agriculture. “India covers two and a half per cent of the total land in the world. It has three and a half per cent of the world's water resources. However, it accounts for 17 per cent of the world population. [Given this imbalance], the farmer takes care of the needs of one billion people. His condition must be improved,” Mr. Pawar said.
Good sign
He hailed the 5.6 per cent agricultural growth as “a good sign” and said this should continue. “I think the UPA [United Progressive Alliance] government is paying a lot of attention to agriculture. On the 28th [the day of the budget], we expect to see this focus,” he said.
On the issue of food security, Mr. Pawar called for boosting food production. “To improve agricultural production, budgetary allocation for irrigation has to be expanded, increased power has to be made available and more investments in seeds need to be brought in,” he said.
He called for advancing the food processing sector and packaging facilities to reduce wastage of farm produce. “We lose Rs. 50-crore worth of produce due to a lack of processing units. In Thailand, 70 per cent of the food is processed, whereas in India only two per cent is,” he said.
Jaitapur
Mr. Pawar endorsed the controversial Jaitapur nuclear power project, saying it would address the country's energy needs without affecting the environment. “Maharashtra has been facing a shortage of power since 1995. The pace of investments has slowed owing to energy concerns. So, it is the government's responsibility to generate power. The Jaitapur project will generate power at cheaper rates. There was opposition to the Dabhol power project, originally Enron, but there was no effect on the environment. I speak knowingly, since Dr. Anil Kakodkar [former head of the Atomic Energy Commission] and other experts have given an assurance on Jaitapur's safety. If the people have any concerns, the government should address them,” he said.
In response to a question on the various scams, Mr. Pawar said he had “no doubt about [Prime Minister] Manmohan Singh's integrity and honesty” and neither did the Opposition. “Some issues have come before the nation and they are at the stage of investigation. Our responsibility is to cooperate with the probe. The truth will come out,” he said.
Research and Markets: Biotechnology Instrumentation - Global Strategic Business Report
DUBLI Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/0f6c1b/biotechnology_inst) has announced the addition of the "Biotechnology Instrumentation - Global Strategic Business Report" report to their offering.
This report analyzes the worldwide markets for Biotechnology Instrumentation in US$ Million by the following Product Segments: DNA Synthesizers, Protein/Peptide Synthesizers, DNA Sequencers, Protein/Peptide Sequencers, HPLC Equipment & Supplies, and Electrophoresis Equipment & Supplies. The report provides separate comprehensive analytics for the US, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Rest of World. Annual estimates and forecasts are provided for the period 2007 through 2015. Also, a seven-year historic analysis is provided for these markets.
The report profiles 162 companies including many key and niche players such as
* Affymetrix Inc.
* Agilent Technologies Inc.
* Beckman Coulter
* Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc.
* Dionex Corporation
* GE HealthCare
* Gilson Inc.
* Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
* Life Technologies Corp.
* Perkin-Elmer Inc.
* Shimadzu Scientific Instruments Inc.
* Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
* Varian Inc.
* Waters Corporation.
Market data and analytics are derived from primary and secondary research. Company profiles are mostly extracted from URL research and reported select online sources.
Key Topics Covered:
1. INTRODUCTION, METHODOLOGY & PRODUCT DEFINITIONS
2. INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
3. ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTS INDUSTRY: A PERSPECTIVE
4. BIOTECHNOLOGY - AN OVERVIEW
5. COMPETITIVE SCENARIO
6. BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTRUMENTATION: PRODUCT OVERVIEW
7. PRODUCT INNOVATIONS/INTRODUCTIONS
8. PRODUCT INNOVATIONS/INTRODUCTIONS IN RECENT PAST - A PERSPECTIVE BUILDER
9. RECENT INDUSTRY ACTIVITY
10. CORPORATE ACTIVITY IN THE RECENT PAST - A PERSPECTIVE BUILDER
11. FOCUS ON SELECT GLOBAL PLAYERS
12. GLOBAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE
13. THE UNITED STATES
14. CANADA
15. JAPAN
16. EUROPE
17. ASIA-PACIFIC
18. LATIN AMERICA
19. REST OF WORLD
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE Total Companies Profiled: 162 (including Divisions/Subsidiaries - 184) Region/Country Players
* The United States 128
* Canada 2
* Japan 6
* Europe 44
* France 4
* Germany 14
* The United Kingdom 11
* Italy 1
* Spain 1
* Rest of Europe 13
* Asia-Pacific (Excluding Japan)
http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/0f6c1b/biotechnology_inst
Readmore:http://www.centredaily.com/2011/02/25/2544465/research-and-markets-biotechnology.html#ixzz1F9Nt4uLo
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