Guntur: Union minister of state for science and technology Y. S. Sujana Chowdary said the government is planning to start incubation and innovation centres in all universities to facilitate advanced research.

Taking part in the inaugural programme of the three-day 6th Indian Youth Science Congress on Monday in Acharya Nagarjuna University, Mr Chowdary said there is no need of separate skill development centres if education institutions impart quality education. Young scientists and researches from various states of India attended the event.

Addressing the gathering, famous scientist Prof. M.S. Swaminathan stressed on the need of eradicating “protein hunger” and “hidden hunger” to build a healthy India.

He mentioned that malnutrition increases the risk of developing tuberculosis which is four times more common in India.

Dr Swaminathan explained that protein hunger is caused by insufficient consumption of pulses, milk, eggs or other protein- rich diets. The government should have a foodgrain stock of 50 million tonnes to supply nutritious food to fight against TB, he said adding horticulture remedies are available for malnutrition in dark leafy vegetables, grapes, guavas, lemon, sweet potato, lemon, watermelon tamarind, banana and others.

“Young scientists should conduct more researches on providing nutritious food to all sections of the society,” Mr Swaminathan said.

Agriculture minister P. Pulla Rao assured support from the state government to MS Swaminathan Research Foundation if it starts a research center at Guntur.