The National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology (NRCPB) was established in 1985 with a vision to impart the biotechnology advantage to the much-needed thrust to Indian Agriculture. The Centre had adopted relatively softer option of tissue culture based research in its infancy in view of the build-uptime required for a strong self-sustaining infrastructure. Today almost a decade later, it stands poised to deliver impact-making results of research being pursued in upfront areas of plant biotechnology. Utilization of existing genetic variability by developing molecular aided selection, exploitation of heterosis, generation of new variability by tissue culture route, management of biotic and abiotic stresses, quality improvement by genetic engineering and biological nitrogen fixation are some of the salient research objectives being actively pursued at the Centre. In order to develop strong inter-and intra-institutional linkages for promoting and strengthening plant biotechnology research in the ICAR system, the Centre has been identified as the lead centre. The NRCPB has acquired in the past an excellent infrastructure in terms of equipments and other physical facilities and has in place well trained human resource which is going to be further enriched. Hence, in the proposed perspective plan the Centre will strengthen the ongoing research programme and also expand its horizon to encompass other high priority areas. In addition to research, human resource development in the area of agricultural biotechnology will receive very high priority. The ongoing, M.Sc and Ph.D programmes will be strengthened, the Post-Doctoral Programme will be expanded and short and long-term training programmes for in-service personnels both from public and private sector institutions will be organized. ( Organogram )
