BIOMANUFACTURING: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
NEWS: Centre
organises consultation with States on biomanufacturing
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?
The BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Economy,
Environment, and Employment), approved in August 2024,
aims to drive economic growth, employment, and environmental sustainability
through biomanufacturing. A national consultation highlighted state-level
policy gaps, infrastructure challenges, and the need for central support
to scale up biotechnology industries
1. Introduction
The Biotechnology
for Economy, Environment, and Employment (BioE3) Policy, approved by the Union
Cabinet in August 2024, aims to transform India into a biomanufacturing
hub. The policy seeks to boost economic growth, generate employment, and
address environmental challenges by promoting biotechnology-driven
industrial production.
A national consultation
led by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) was conducted to discuss the expansion
of biomanufacturing across Indian states, highlighting state-level policy
gaps, funding requirements, and the necessity for a strong Centre-State
collaboration.
2. Biomanufacturing: Concept and Scope
Definition
of Biomanufacturing
Biomanufacturing
refers to the industrial production of bio-based products using
biological processes instead of traditional chemical synthesis. It involves:
Key Features
of Biomanufacturing
·
Sustainable & Green: Reduces dependence on petroleum-based products and
minimizes environmental pollution.
·
Innovation-Driven: Encourages R&D in synthetic biology, bioengineering, and AI-driven
biotech.
·
High Economic Potential: Helps India become a global biotech leader,
attracting FDI and creating high-quality jobs.
3. Key Objectives of the BioE3 Policy
·
The BioE3 policy is designed to:
Promote Bio-Based Manufacturing: Shift towards sustainable and
eco-friendly industrial production.
·
Enhance India's Global Competitiveness: Position India as a leading biotech exporter.
·
Support Startups & MSMEs: Facilitate the growth of biotech entrepreneurs
and industries.
·
Generate High-Quality Jobs: Foster employment in biotechnology,
bioinformatics, and bio-AI.
·
Strengthen Centre-State Coordination: Ensure uniform biotechnology policy
implementation across states.
4. The National Consultation on Biomanufacturing
The Department
of Biotechnology (DBT), under Rajesh Gokhale, organized a consultation
with state governments to discuss the expansion of biomanufacturing across
India.
Key
Discussion Points
4.1 State
Engagement & Policy Gaps
4.2
Strategic Measures Proposed
To overcome
these challenges, the consultation proposed:
·
State-Centric BioE3 Cells: Dedicated nodal units within state governments
to align regional biotech growth with national objectives.
·
BioE3 Action Plans: Customized biotech growth roadmaps for each state based on local
resources and industries.
·
Bio-AI Hubs & Bio-Foundries: Establish AI-powered biotech research hubs
and biomanufacturing facilities for large-scale production.
·
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Encouraging private investment in biotech
infrastructure through government incentives.
5. Challenges Highlighted by States
Despite
their interest in biomanufacturing, states face significant hurdles,
such as:
5.1
Financial and Infrastructure Challenges
·
Limited Funding: Many states lack capital to build biotech industrial parks and R&D
labs.
·
High Cost of Biomanufacturing: Setting up biotech factories requires specialized
infrastructure, skilled workforce, and regulatory approvals.
5.2 Policy
and Regulatory Gaps
·
Absence of Uniform Policies: States require clear guidelines from the Centre
to develop their own biotech strategies.
·
Regulatory Bottlenecks: Complex approval processes for biotech
innovations slow down industry growth.
5.3
Technology & Skill Deficit
·
Lack of Skilled Workforce: States need biotech training programs to
create a workforce skilled in synthetic biology, genome editing, and
bioengineering.
·
Need for Global Collaboration: Indian biotech industries must adopt global
best practices to compete in the international market.
6. The Future of Biomanufacturing in India
6.1 Economic
Benefits
·
Boosts GDP Growth: Expanding biomanufacturing could make India a $100 billion biotech
economy by 2030.
·
Attracts Foreign Investment: Global biotech companies may set up R&D
centers and manufacturing units in India.
6.2
Environmental Impact
·
Reduces Pollution: Bio-based chemicals and biodegradable plastics reduce plastic waste and
carbon footprint.
·
Promotes Sustainable Agriculture: Bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides reduce chemical
pollution in soil and water.
6.3
Competitive Edge for Early-Adopting States
·
First-Mover Advantage: States investing in biotech infrastructure now will lead in job
creation and industrial growth.
·
Stronger R&D Ecosystem: Universities and research institutions will get better
funding for biotech innovations.