The National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Bengaluru, is a premier institute under ICAR conducting basic and fundamental research in Animal Nutrition and Physiology. For the record third time, the scientists of the institute have won the prestigious ICAR award for outstanding interdisciplinary team research in Agriculture and allied sciences. Honourable Prime Minister of India was the chief guest of the 86th ICAR Foundation day held on 29th July, 2014 at NASC complex, New Delhi. On this occasion Honourable Union Minister for Agriculture Shri Radha Mohan Singh and Honourable Minister of State for Agriculture Dr. Sanjeev Baliyan were also present.
The award was given for the cutting edge research for production of prebiotics from agricultural wastes like corn cobs, coconut pith, sugarcane bagasse, natural grass and tobacco and cotton stalks. The team lead by Dr. A.K. Samanta comprised of Dr. C. S. Prasad, Dr. Manpal Sridhar, Dr. Swaraj Senani and Dr. Atul Kolte. Dr. Samanta informed that the prebiotics derived from agricultural wastes selectively stimulates growth and multiplication of beneficial microflora present in the gastrointestinal tract of both humans and animals. Dr. C. S. Prasad Director, NIANP and one of the team members said that the research carried out since last 5 years through institute sponsored research program with support from DBT, GoI and Coconut Development board is a boon for livestock and poultry. He said that in view of the ban on use of antibiotics as growth promoters in many developed countries, use of prebiotics or nutraceuticals in maintaining gut health is gaining significance. The nutraceuticals available in the market are expensive due to the costly basic raw materials used. But in the present study, low cost agricultural wastes/ by-products were used for making the process inexpensive. These high value nutraceuticals have potential application in feed, food, confectionary and pharmaceutical industry. In this process of ‘Creating wealth from wastes’, NIANP has filed two process patents and received recognition from universities abroad for developing MoU for collaborative research. Presently, work is going on under Dr. Samanta to explore therapeutic value of prebiotics produced from agricultural wastes in treating gastrointestinal problems in animals. He said that NIANP is committed to carry out basic and strategic research to benefit livestock farmers as well as developing value added products for human consumption. The award was presented by Honourable Union Agriculture Minister in the presence of Honourable Minister for state for Agriculture on 29th July 2014 at New Delhi which carries a cash prize of Rs. 5.0 lakhs and a certificate
