Resin institute to ink pact with Kenya cradle

Tag : resin

Ranchi, Nov. 2: Having established itself as a force to reckon with in the sectorof research in agro-forestry in the country, Indian Institute ofNatural Resins and Gums is all set to jump shores.
It is now planning to collaborate with the International Centre forResearch in Agro-forestry in Kenya. Talks for the proposedcollaboration is over and is set to come through after completionof the formalities.
Recently, a south Asia representative of the Kenyan centre, V.P.Singh, visited the Namkum institute for the final phase of thetalks.
The Indian centre that has been extensively working in theagro-forestry sector to develop trees for the production of lac,had invited the international body to explore possibilities of abilateral exchange of resources and ideas.
The director of the Namkum centre, Bangali Baboo, said hisinstitutes success is proven by the booming, Rs 50-crore lacindustry.
But, he added that there is greater room for further change.
The approach to agro-forestry, when compared to Africa isdifferent here. Our approach is still largely timber-based andneeds to be redefined, Baboo said.
Trough the collaboration, the Indian centre is seeking to shiftfocus on different business ideas that do not involve timber.
As a senior scientist of the Indian centre explained, thecollaboration will open up roads for barter of local and foreigntrees. The trees would be studied to understand how they couldaugment forest produce. After all agro-forestry is more than justtimber and firewood, the scientist said.
We will have to study the climate, topography and soil conditionin Kenya and compare it with our conditions. Trees of Indian originwill be taken there, while some of their trees will be plantedhere. Salai Guggal, Guggal, Gum Karaya, and Babool are rich inresin and also have medicinal uses. Similar trees in Africa will bestudied and possibilities of extracting important components fromthem will have to be explored, he added.
The expertise of international scientists coupled with our ownfield experience will prove to be a shot in the arm for the agroindustry here, Baboo said, adding: Discussions with Singh on hisvisit earlier this month was productive. We are looking forward tothe programme.
I am hopeful that the collaboration would prove its merits in acouple of years. There cannot be overnight change, more so whenagro-forestry is not taken seriously by the concerned authoritieshere. However, with persistent labour, there is the scope fordevelopment, Baboo said.