The BioE3 Policy in India
The BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) represents a significant strategic initiative by the Indian government to enhance the biotechnology sector, focusing on high-performance biomanufacturing. Approved by the Union Cabinet on August 24, 2024, this policy aims to position India as a global leader in biomanufacturing while addressing critical environmental and economic challenges.
Implementation Agency:- Department of Biotechnology (DBT)
Requirements and Objectives of the BioE3 Policy
The BioE3 Policy is designed to foster innovation-driven research and development (R&D) and entrepreneurship across various thematic sectors. Its primary objectives include:
– Enhancing Biomanufacturing: Establishing biomanufacturing and bio-AI hubs to facilitate the production of bio-based products.
– Supporting Sustainable Practices: Promoting regenerative bioeconomy models that align with India’s goals for a Net Zero carbon economy and sustainable growth.
– Job Creation: Generating employment opportunities, particularly in tier-II and tier-III cities, through the establishment of biomanufacturing hubs.
– Building Infrastructure: Developing infrastructure that enables scale-up and commercialization of biotechnology innovations.
Salient Features of the BioE3 Policy
The BioE3 Policy encompasses several key features aimed at transforming India’s biotechnology landscape:
– Innovation-Driven Support: The policy emphasizes support for R&D and entrepreneurship, facilitating collaboration among universities, research institutions, startups, and industries.
– Focus on Thematic Sectors: It targets strategic sectors such as:
1. High-Value Bio-Based Chemicals: This sector aims to develop sustainable alternatives to traditional chemicals, reducing environmental impact and enhancing resource efficiency.
2. Biopolymers and Enzymes: The policy promotes innovations in biodegradable materials and enzymes that can replace petroleum-based products, contributing to a circular economy.
3. Smart Proteins and Functional Foods: Emphasizing nutrition and food security, this sector focuses on the development of advanced food products that are both nutritious and sustainable.
4. Precision Biotherapeutics: This area targets the advancement of personalized medicine and therapies, improving healthcare outcomes through biotechnological innovations.
5. Climate Resilient Agriculture: The policy supports agricultural practices that can withstand climate change impacts, ensuring food security while promoting sustainable farming techniques.
6. Carbon Capture and Utilization: This sector fosters technologies for effective carbon capture and its utilization in various industries, contributing to climate change mitigation efforts.
7. Futuristic Marine and Space Research: Encouraging research in marine and space biotechnology, this sector explores new frontiers for biomanufacturing applications
– Circular Bioeconomy Promotion: The policy encourages practices that support a circular bioeconomy, thereby reducing waste and promoting sustainability.
Biomanufacturing in the Context of BioE3:
Biomanufacturing refers to the use of biological systems—such as engineered microbial, plant, and animal cells—to produce commercially important products at scale. This approach is pivotal in transitioning from traditional manufacturing paradigms to more sustainable practices.
The BioE3 Policy aims to leverage biomanufacturing for:
– Producing Diverse Products: From pharmaceuticals to materials, biomanufacturing addresses various challenges in agriculture and food production.
– Enhancing Global Competitiveness: By establishing a robust biomanufacturing ecosystem, India can strengthen its position in global supply chains, particularly in biopharmaceuticals and biologics.
Thematic Sectors of Bioeconomy in India
The thematic sectors outlined in the BioE3 Policy are crucial for advancing India’s bioeconomy. Each sector plays a vital role in addressing specific national priorities:
1. High-value Bio-Based Chemicals: Development of sustainable chemical alternatives to reduce environmental impact.
2. Biopolymers & Enzymes: Innovations aimed at creating biodegradable materials.
3. Smart Proteins & Functional Foods: Enhancing nutrition through advanced food technologies.
4. Precision Biotherapeutics: Improving healthcare outcomes via targeted therapies.
5. Climate Resilient Agriculture: Implementing agricultural practices that withstand climate change effects.
6. Carbon Capture & Utilization: Technologies aimed at reducing carbon emissions across industries.
7. Marine and Space Research: Exploring new frontiers for biotechnological applications.
Statistical Insights into India’s Bioeconomy
As India embarks on this transformative journey through the BioE3 Policy, several statistics underscore its potential impact:
– The Indian biotechnology sector is projected to reach $150 billion by 2025, driven by advancements in biomanufacturing.
– With a focus on job creation in emerging sectors, the policy is expected to significantly enhance employment opportunities across various levels of expertise.
Government Initiatives to boost Bio-Economy:
1. National Mission on Bioeconomy
The National Mission on Bioeconomy was launched in 2016 by the Institute of Bio-resources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) under the Ministry of Science and Technology in India. This initiative aims to harness the potential of bio-resources to boost the rural economy, create jobs, and promote sustainable development through the utilization of renewable biological resources.
2. National Biopharma Mission 2017
The National Biopharma Mission (NBM) is an industry-Academia Collaborative Mission for accelerating biopharmaceutical development in the country. Under this Mission the Government has launched Innovate in India (i3) programme to create an enabling ecosystem to promote entrepreneurship and indigenous manufacturing in the sector. The mission will be implemented by Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC). The mission was approved in 2017 at a total cost of Rs 1500 crore and is 50% co-funded by World Bank loan. It is managed through a dedicated Program Management Unit (PMU) at BIRAC. Together with National and International experts, the most promising projects are selected in response to open Request for Applications issued by the PMU. The oversight to the mission activities is provided by the inter-ministerial Steering Committee chaired by the Secretary-DBT. The Technical Advisory Group (TAG) provides approval and reviews scientific progress of its components. Further downstream, domain specific Scientific Advisory Groups (SAG), each for the activities/ product development partnerships, are responsible for providing scientific decision making and knowledge and oversight necessary for TAG.
3. National Biotechnology Development Strategy
The National Biotechnology Development Strategy (NBDS) is a comprehensive framework initiated by the Government of India to enhance the biotechnology sector in the country. The strategy has evolved through several phases, with the most recent being the 2021-2025 iteration. Here’s a detailed overview of its key components and objectives:
Historical Context
- The first NBDS was introduced in 2007, followed by a second version from 2015 to 2020.
- The latest strategy, 2021-2025, aims to position India as a global leader in biotechnology, targeting a market value of $150 billion by 2025.
Objectives
The primary goals of the National Biotechnology Development Strategy include:
- Establishing India as a global bio-manufacturing hub.
- Promoting biotechnology as a key driver of economic growth and innovation.
- Enhancing research, development, and commercialization capabilities in biotechnology.
4. National Policy on Biofuels
The National Policy on Biofuels in India was first established in 2009 and subsequently revised in 2018 to enhance the production and utilization of biofuels in the country. The policy aims to reduce dependency on fossil fuels, promote energy security, and support the agricultural sector. Here are the key aspects of the policy:
Objectives
- Reduce Petroleum Imports: The primary goal is to decrease reliance on imported crude oil by promoting domestic biofuel production.
- Achieve Blending Targets: The policy originally set a target of achieving 20% blending of biofuels with fossil fuels by 2030, which was later advanced to 2025-26 for ethanol blending in petrol
Source: PIB
