Union Cabinet has approved the proposal of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) on 24th August 2024, for India’s first Policy in Biotechnology, the ‘BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy for ‘Fostering High Performance Biomanufacturing’. This Policy lays down the framework for the implementation of the Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry Initiative. This initiative will promote green growth in the country, by transforming today's consumptive manufacturing paradigm to the one based on regenerative principles.
The unsustainable pattern of material consumption, resource over-utilization and waste generation has led to climate change related challenges such as burning forest, melting glaciers and declining biodiversity. Biomanufacturing can provide a solution to several of these challenges by leveraging living systems coupled with engineering to produce commercially important bio-based products using biomass and waste resources.
Keeping in view the importance of the sector, DBT has launched a major initiative on “Fostering High Performance Biomanufacturing-An integrated approach towards promoting circular economy for Green, Clean and Prosperous India”.
Based on National Consultation meeting and Inter-ministerial consultation, six-thematic verticals of national importance have been identified for implementation under the initiative. These include (i) Bio-based Chemicals and Enzymes, (ii) Functional Food and Smart Proteins, (iii) Precision Biotherapeutics, (iv) Climate Resilient Agriculture, (iv) Biofuels and Carbon Capture and (vi) Futuristic Marine and Space Research. In order to augment research and translation across these six verticals, Bio-Enablers i.e. Bio-Artificial Intelligence (AIs) Hubs and Biofoundry/Biomanufacturing Hubs will be setup across the country. The programme will be accelerated through international collaboration, inter-ministerial coordination and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
The Biomanufacturing programme will steer India on the path of accelerated ‘Green Growth’ by promoting ‘Circular Bioeconomy’. It will foster surge in employment and intensify entrepreneurial momentum towards this knowledge-driven industry sector. The initiative will accelerate India’s goal to achieve bioeconomy targets and national economic goals for 2047 while being constantly guided by the goal of equitable access, ethics and biosafety.