Exploration,
characterization, evaluation, maintenance,
conservation, and documentation of various
categories of microbes important to agriculture/animal
science/fisheries have to be facilitated
in the national system.
Isolation, identification and utilization
of AIMs in the processes of biofertilization,
bioprocessing and bioremediation or addressing
the pathogens causing either diseases or
spoilage in agri-products constitute important
national priority.
A mechanism will be developed for sending
and receiving referral samples of AIMs for
maintenance, cataloguing and facilitated
access for use in public interest.
Diversity of exotic AIMs in different ecological
niche
AIMs
will be conserved and characterized for
its optimum utilization by the future generations.
Search
for novel bioactive compounds from the microorganisms
present in the diversified agro-ecosystems
of India will also provide a valuable resource.
NBAIM
will pool all the available resources and
upgrade the facilities to meet the current
and future requirement for the conservation
and characterization of AIMs in the country.
The
identification of indigenous species, strains,
races and types of microorganisms would
also help in identifying and developing
suitable biocontrol agents, which in the
present and coming century, will be the
main armory for the eco-friendly management
of biotic stresses.
The
Bureau will provide good opportunities for
isolating and utilizing genes for conventional
and unforeseen products of high economic,
environmental and agricultural values.
Efforts
will be made to strengthen the national
capability in quarantine and other regulatory
matters.
The
Bureau will also perform an important function
of depository of AIMs, which will facilitate
the process of registration and patenting.
Above all, the Bureau will help in understanding
and conserving our national heritage of
microorganisms, not well understood and
conserved so far.
Biosystematics of AIMs
The
discipline of "Microbial Taxonomy and Biosystematics"
has been losing ground in universities/
research institutes and agricultural universities,
though its importance has increased with
the changing IPR scenario. There is an urgent
need to revive it and it is in this context,
work on "Microbial Taxonomy", "Biosystematics"
and "Evolution" has become more relevant.
Development of National Culture Collection
Centre as per Budapest Treaty with the state-of-the-art
"Facilities for identification and taxonomic
studies of Agriculturally Important Microorganisms".
This is utmost important, as at present
no Center/Institute/University in India
is providing the services of "Identification
of AIMs" to the scientists engaged in agriculture,
pure sciences and industry. NBAIM may act
as a nodal center for developing a "National
Facility for the Identification of AIMs".
Exploration and Survey
"
NBAIM will act as a nodal agency, responsible
for taking appropriate measures for system
wide management of AIMs e.g. (i) constituting
microbial genetic resource advisory committees,
(ii) preparing national exploration maps,
(iii) developing and widely disseminating
guidelines for handling and storage of microbial
isolates, (iv) registration and notification
of microbial deposits, (v) developing/implementing
coordination, linkage and cooperation mechanisms,
(vi) technical backstopping for the development
of national policy and its implementation,
and (vii) handling matters/ concerns related
to biosafety, biopiracy and IPR issues,
etc
Human Resource Development
"
Human Resource Development (HRD) and training
for trainers and scientific/technical personnel
for evolving technologies in relation to
research, management and application of
microorganisms, and for addressing the issues
of biosafety, management of intellectual
property, facilitated access, and equitable
benefit sharing
Utilization of AIMs
"
Microbial strategy for improving crop nutrition.
