Japanese grants for two Chennai institutes

As per the contract, the assistance would used by the institute to distribute eco-friendly biopesticide free of cost to farmers in the grip of poverty and to train them in the use of biopesticides and biological control agents, according to a press release issued by the Japanese consulate here.

The Institute, a centre for inter-disciplinary research in various areas of biology, focuses on wide aspects of insect-plan interactions, including resistance mechanism, chemical ecology, biopesticides and biological control, besides molecular biology, biotechnology and tissue culture.

Meanwhile, another press release issued by the consulate said a grant of 87,500 dollars had been given to The Banyan, a rehabilitation centre for homeless mentally ill and destitute women, the assistance would be used to construct a building for accommodation, medical care and rehabilitation of the homeless mentally ill women, it said.