DBT’s North Eastern Programme | 24 Feb 2025

Source: PIB 

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT)’s North Eastern Programme is driving a biotechnology-led transformation in India’s North East Region (NER). 

• DBT’s North Eastern Programme: Initiated in 2010-2011, the DBT has since allocated 10% of its annual budget to biotech programmes in NER, focusing on enhancing education, research, and bio-entrepreneurship. 
  • Enabled R&D projects, benefiting researchers and students, and 6 biotech hubs established across NER to support research and training. 
  • DBT introduced Biotechnology Labs in Senior Secondary Schools (BLiSS) to promote biotechnology education. Additionally, the Visiting Research Professorship (VRP) programme engages top scientists to drive advancements in biotechnology across NER institutions.  
  • DBT also supports farmers through initiatives like the DBT-North East Centre for Agricultural Biotechnology (DBT-NECAB). 
• Major Achievements: The “Patkai” rice variety, developed by Assam Agricultural University, integrates blight resistance (protection against bacterial blight disease) from Improved Samba Mahsuri (rice variety). 
  • A Lateral Flow Assay (LFA) for rapid brucellosis (bacterial infection) detection in livestock was standardized, improving disease diagnostics.  
  • Additionally, the Pig Disease Diagnosis Expert System (PDDES), a mobile application, was developed to assist veterinarians and farmers in diagnosing and managing pig diseases.