He said this while delivering a lecture, after laying the foundation stone for the research building of the Gujarat State Fertilisers and Chemicals (GSFC) Science Foundation.

According to Bhandari, the advancement in the field of research was essential for growth of the country. ``But what should also be considered is the environment consciousness,'' he stressed.

He also welcomed the setting up of the research centre for the science foundation saying that it would help the scientists working in the field of agricultural technology immensely.

Bhandari said that it was sheer ingenuity of the agro-scientists which had ensured growing of 10,000 tress on the 18 acres of land in the industrial area of Nadesari and well-recharging schemes introduced in barren areas of the State had ensured increase in the well-water levels.

He said that by formulating action-oriented schemes and programmes, the GSFC had contributed significantly in promoting scientific agro-technologies.

Bhandari said that the progress in the field of agro-biotechnology had enormously helped the country's economy by minimising the reliance on import of important agro-based inputs.

It was a matter of great pride for the country that the GSFC had attained international recognition for its work in the field of agricultural biotechnology, he said.

Earlier, in his welcome address, GSFC Chairman K D Jeswani said that the setting up of the research centre was a major milestone in the GSFC's progress course and expressed hope that the scientist -- by taking the advantage of the most advance system in the centre -- would contribute significantly to the growth of agro-technology.

According to Jeswani, the foundation's primary objective was to provide scientific research activities leading to innovative outputs in larger interest of the people.

He further said that the foundation had recognised few areas of scientific considerations like water management, environmental protection, agri-biotechnology, material science and energy. ``Projects related to these and allied areas are undertaken with appropriate inputs of fundamental, applied and engineering disciplines'', he said.

Jeswani also said that the foundation was an autonomous scientific and research organsiation registered with the State as well as Central governments and had been promoted by the GSFC.

In his address, Executive Director of the GSFC, Dr M H Mehta said that there were three major areas -- water management, Agri-biotechnology and environment -- in which the science foundation was working.