GS Paper III-Biotechnology |
Why in the news?
The BioE3 policy promoting biotechnology for the economy, environment, and employment was just adopted by the Union Cabinet.
The goal of this policy is to support India’s high-performance biomanufacturing sector.
About BioE3 Policy :
- The production of bio-based products is facilitated by high-performance biomanufacturing, which integrates sophisticated biotechnological procedures.
- The objective is to create a robust biomanufacturing ecosystem that can address global issues including food security, human health, and mitigating climate change.
- In order to advance sustainable and circular practices—which are essential for tackling pressing social issues—the strategy focuses on industrializing biology.
- Focus
The following strategic areas are the focus of the BioE3 Policy:
1) premium biobased compounds, biopolymers, and enzymes;
2) intelligent proteins and functional foods;
3) precision biotherapeutics;
4) agriculture that is climate resilient;
5) carbon capture and use;
and 6) research in the marine and space industries.
The government’s efforts to create a “Net Zero” carbon economy and encourage sustainable lifestyles are supported by the BioE3 Policy.
By promoting circular economy practices, the strategy will steer India toward faster green growth and promote a more inventive and sustainable future.
Three strategies for implementation are outlined in the policy:
a. Research discovery and integrated research networks
b. Closing current gaps
c. the creation of bio-enabler hubs.
Important Aspects of the BioE3 Policy
- Innovation Support: To promote technological advancement and commercialization, the policy supports entrepreneurship and R&D in a variety of fields.
2. Creation of Biohubs: To promote technological advancement and the bioeconomy, it suggests creating Biofoundries and Biomanufacturing & Bio-AI hubs.
3. Regenerative Bioeconomy: Models that support sustainable development, green growth, and a circular economy are highlighted by the policy.
4. Workforce Development: To promote economic growth, it aims to increase the number of skilled workers and positions in the biotechnology industry.
Significance of this Policy:
- By creating biofoundries and hubs for biomanufacturing and bio-AI, the initiative will hasten the development and commercialization of new technologies.
- In addition to giving regenerative bioeconomy models of green growth priority, this strategy will enable India’s trained workforce to grow and create a significant number of new jobs.
- By encouraging the “Circular Bioeconomy,” the Policy will accelerate green growth in India and reinforce government initiatives like the “Net Zero” carbon economy and “Lifestyle for Environment.”
- It lays forth the Bio-vision for Viksit Bharat and will promote an enhanced future that is more inventive, sustainable, and sensitive to global concerns.
Need for the policy :
- The biotechnology industry has the potential to offer a wide range of solutions for problems in several sectors, including health, agriculture, the environment, energy, and industrial processes, primarily because of its multidisciplinary approach.
- Now is the perfect time to engage in the industrialization of biology to address some of the most pressing societal concerns by promoting sustainable and circular practices:
such as the prevention of climate change, food security, and human health. - India is a country full of bright young people with the potential to produce a large pool of reasonably priced, highly skilled labour.
- The biotechnology sector is expanding globally at a rate of 7.4% annually, and Indians are well-positioned to meet the high demand in each of the industry’s segments.
- An established IT infrastructure and system could encourage growth in the unexplored Bio-IT sector.
- Strategically speaking, biofuels may be important given the growing need for energy worldwide.
- Drug and device demand will rise as a result of new diseases and lifestyle modifications.
- In the next ten years, it is anticipated that the patient pool will grow by more than 20%, mostly as a result of population growth.
India’s Bioeconomy :
India is the third-largest biotechnology destination in the Asia Pacific and is ranked among the top 12 biotechnology locations worldwide.
India’s BioEconomy is expected to reach $300 billion by 2030, having crossed the $130 billion mark in 2024.
The biotechnology industry in Namibia is divided into four sectors: biopharmaceuticals, bio-agriculture, biotechnology, and bioservices.
Biopharmaceuticals: One of the world’s largest exporters of inexpensive medications and vaccinations is India. With the greatest number of biosimilars authorized for the domestic market, India likewise tops the world in biosimilars.
Bioagriculture: India is one of the world’s top producers of Bt cotton and possesses the fifth-largest area of organic agricultural land, with around 55% of its land dedicated to agriculture and related activities.
BioAgri, which includes pesticides, marine biotechnology, animal biotechnology, and Bt cotton, has the potential to almost quadruple its contribution to the BioEconomy from $10.5 billion to $20 billion by 2025.
Bioindustrial: Across the nation, waste disposal and manufacturing are changing as a result of the integration of biotechnology into industrial processes.
Government-sponsored projects:
a. The nation is home to 60 bio-incubators funded by BIRAC and 9 biotech parks supported by DBT.
b. The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) received Rs. 2,251.52 crore (US$ 271 million) in the Interim Budget 2024–25.
c. Thirty MSMEs and over 150 NGOs are among the 101 initiatives that the National Biopharma Mission is funding.
d. The National Biotechnology Development Strategy 2020–25 gives the government a framework for enhancing innovation, resource convergence, and skill development into a robust ecosystem for information exchange.
Way Forward :
a. India has a sizable pool of young, talented workers because of its 1.4 billion people, 47% of whom are under 25.
b. Scientists and engineers are among the many scientific human resources that India possesses.
c. For the Indian biotech industry to succeed, there has to be a greater number of biotech incubators to support the growth of start-ups and expand research.
d. To expedite cutting-edge innovations for the development of bio-based products, it is critical to establish a robust biomanufacturing ecosystem in the nation.
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