Melbourne: Australia on Wednesday welcomed the landmark research and health initiative, worth 2.8 million Australian Dollar, signed between Queensland University of Technology and India's Department of Biotechnology to weed out iron-deficiency anaemia in India.
"Australia is delighted to be associated with such an important project that would help prevent avoidable maternal mortality in India," Australian High Commissioner to India Peter Varghese said on Tuesday.
Queensland University of Technology (QUT) announced singing the million dollar deal with India's Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) to help stamp out iron-deficiency anaemia, a major cause of maternal death during childbirth.
The agreement was signed in India on behalf of QUT and Department of Biotechnology's BIRAC.
The project is said to see new strains of iron-rich bananas developed and will be jointly led by QUT’s Centre for Tropical Crops and Biocommodities Director, James Dale of QUT and Rakesh Tuli of National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute said.
Other partners include the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, National Research Centre for Bananas, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and Indian Institute of Horticulture Research.
PTI
