New Delhi, Jan 29: The Union Cabinet has agreed to establish "National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management" at Malegaon (Baramati) in Maharashtra, which will cost the government Rs. 73.50 crores in the 11th plan.

The need for the institute is highly apparent since abiotic stresses like drought, temperature extremes, flood, salinity, mineral toxicity and nutritive deficiency are affecting Indian crops to a large extent.

The Aboitic stresses are threatening agricultural produce worldwide and is all the more severe in a tropical country like India which has wrong implications in maintaining national food security.

The National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management is likely to have a comprehensive mandate of characterisation of the occurrence of various abiotic stresses in the country impacting agriculture on a continuous basis and carry out basic and strategic research that will lead to development of technologies for mitigation and adaptation of crops, livestock, horticulture, fisheries and micro organisms to such stresses.

The vital research programs would be in a matrix mode. It is proposed that the institute shall conduct its research programmes through four schools including the schools of drought stress management, atmospheric stress management, edaphic stress management and policy support research. (ANI)