Gujarat
Biotechnology in Gujarat

Gujarat is the land of enterprise, of spirit of cooperation, of pragmatism and practical wisdom. Gujarat was determined to attain a premier position in the national economy. It has formulated innovative policies, evolved indigenous strategies and concentrated on the overall progress of its people.

Major Crops in Gujarat

The state of Gujarat has a unique agro climatic condition. The progressive and hard working farmers produces wide variety of agricultural produces. According to the SCR Report of 1998-99 the gross crop area was 112 lakh hectares, out of which 45.31% was in food crops and 54.69% was under non-food crop produces. The major crops include rice, wheat, maize, oilseeds, cotton, fruits and vegetables and spices.

During the year 2001-02 the State produced 4.89 million tones of food grains, 3.63 million tones of oil seeds and 3.17 million tones of fruits and 3.07 million tones of vegetables. The area and production of principle food crops and non-food crops during the year 2001-02 based on the final forecast have been given in the following Table - A

Table - A: Area and Production of Major Crops in Gujarat during the Year 2001 - 02

(*) Production in ‘000 bales of 170 kgs. each

Director of Agriculture, Gujarat State Forecast Report

The major crops of horticulture in Gujarat are Banana, Mango, Chikoo and Papaya. The major vegetable crops grown in Gujarat are Onion, Potato, Brinjal and Tomato. In addition to this, Gujarat also produces Chillies, Cumin, Fennel and Garlic. In India, Gujarat ranks third in the production of Banana, sixth in production of Mango, second in Papaya and Chikoo production. Gujarat produces about 5.2% of fruits and nuts totally produced by India. During the year 2001-02, the production of fruits, vegetables and spices was 3.17 million tonnes, 3.07 million tonnes and 0.25 million tonnes respectively, which was 3.15 million tones, 2.95 million tonnes and 0.34 million tonnes respectively, during 2000-01. The following Table - B shows production of various fruits crops in the state during 2000-01.

Table – B: Production of Fruits Crops During 2000-01

Agro Industry

The Agro Industries are those units which add value to agricultural products/residues, both food and non-food, by processing in to products which are marketable or usable or edible, or by improving storability or by providing link from farm to the market or a part thereof. Agro industry also includes high-tech agriculture and biotechnology based agriculture.

The Agro Based and Food Processing Industry in the State consist of Small, Medium and Large Scale Sector Units producing wide variety of products. As at the end of March 2003, there were about 15,000 Small scale industrial units in Food Processing Beverage and Tobacco Processing Products with a share of 5.61% of the registered units in the State. There were 1979 working factories in this sector of industry accounting for 9.68% of the registered factories and 10.33% share of Workers employed in factory sector in the State.
Out of the total industrial approvals in large and medium sector the food processing industry accounts for 534 approvals which works out to about 6.64% of the total approvals granted to all industry in the State as at the end of March 2003.

Further, according to monitoring information, 199 Large and Medium and large Scale Units with investment of Rs. 21,770 million have been commissioned in Food Processing Sector in the State whereas, 57 industrial units envisaging an investment of Rs.10,010 million are under various stages of implementation as at the end of March 2003.

Agro Vision

The Gujarat Agro Vision 2010 has been formulated with defined growth parameters of gross state domestic product, per capita income and increase in non farm income of rural population due to multiplier effect. A holistic approach has been envisaged with emphasis on agricultural research, conservation of soil and water, economic and social sustainability. A comprehensive Agro Industrial Policy - 2000 has been formulated.
Investment Opportunities

Gujarat is one of the most industrialised states in India. In agricultural production too, the state is equally advanced and now accelerating its pace into high tech agriculture. The government has decided to accord priority to agro processing and horticulture, in view of high export potential for fruits like mango, banana and chikoo. The government would support the sector by providing assistance to farmers for agricultural inputs and systems like drip irrigation and encourage development of infrastructure facilities like warehousing, cold chain, pack houses, interventions like banana ripening etc. for better pre harvest and post harvest crop management.

The sector has strong base with highly diversified cropping and a farming community, which is responsive to changes in agricultural technologies and practices. The state also has other strengths like decent logistical infrastructure like airport, seaport and extensive road & railway network.

The State of Gujarat has strength in Agro Based Industry in terms of natural resources established industrial base, skilled labour force, enterprising farmers, network of market yards and other requisite infrastructure. The State invites investment proposals from within and outside the country in all sector in general and with particular emphasis on agro based and food processing industry which has been identified as one of the thrust areas of the investment. Based on the availability of raw materials, infrastructure as well as domestic and export needs, a list of investment opportunities has been identified.

Added to this is the state's well-developed infrastructure. It has excellent road network, railway connectivity, air linkages with an international airport at Ahmedabad, ports and telecommunication facilities. The state has national level academic and research institutions and well developed higher educational infrastructure.

The government of Gujarat has set up an office - State Biotechnology mission - to facilitate the development of biotechnology in the state and extend the benefits of this technology to various sectors, including the industrial sector and society in the state. Gujarat is well known for its well-developed industrial scenario and infrastructure. The political and economic stability of the state, well defined industrial policy, together with some well-known research institutions, a vibrant and responsive corporate sector make it a very suitable location and destination for biotechnology related investments in the state.

The state has identified the following thrust areas to strengthen its biotechnology credentials:

• Promotion of Biotechnology sector in Gujarat
  
• Preparation of feasibility studies and project reports
  
• Setting up of the office of the state of biotechnology
  
• Setting up of new R & D Institutions
  
• Promoting establishment of an institute of Bio informatics in Gujarat
  
• Establishing a biotech venture capital fund in Gujarat