Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), under the Indian Council for Agriculture Research (ICAR) and Russian company Lysterra signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the commercialisation of bio-capsule, an encapsulation technology for bio fertilisation. Lysterra, which is known for producing crop protection products, is the first foreign company to commercialise IISR’s microbial encapsulation technology.
The microbial encapsulation technology, an important innovation patented by IISR, is used for encapsulating agriculturally significant microorganisms, for delivery of beneficial microorganisms as biofertilisers for crops. Four Indian firms have already received non-exclusive licenses from IISR for commercial production of bio capsules using this technology.
T. Mohapatra, Director General, ICAR, who presided over the virtual meet that saw the inking of the MoU, said new technology generation efforts and commercialisation attempts should go hand-in-hand for the overall development of the agriculture sector.