NEW DELHI: Union Cabinet on Saturday approved a biotech policy for high-performance biomanufacturing – BioE3 – that will accelerate innovation-driven support to bio-economy and green growth, and cleared a proposal of continuation of the three schemes on institutional and human capacity building, R&D, and technology deployment as a unified central scheme named ‘Vigyan Dhara‘.
BioE3 will play a crucial role in steering India towards its ‘net zero’ emission goal of 2070.
The proposed outlay for implementation of ‘Vigyan Dhara’ is over Rs 10,579 crore during the 15th Finance Commission period from 2021-22 to 2025-26. The merger of the schemes into a single scheme is aimed at enhancing efficiency in fund utilisation and establishing synchronisation among the sub-schemes/ programmes.
The BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) policy seeks to accelerate technology development and promote entrepreneurship and commercialisation by establishing biomanufacturing (manufacturing of bio-based products), Bio-AI hubs and biofoundry in the country. It will focus on high value bio-based chemicals, biopolymers and enzymes; smart proteins and functional foods; precision biotherapeutics; climate resilient agriculture; carbon capture and its utilisation; and marine and space research.
“Overall, this policy will further strengthen govt’s initiatives such as ‘net zero’ carbon economy and ‘Lifestyle for Environment’ (LiFE), and will steer India on the path of accelerated ‘green growth’ by promoting ‘circular bioeconomy’,” said a statement on the Cabinet decision.
Besides prioritising regenerative bioeconomy models of green growth, the BioE3 policy will facilitate expansion of India’s the skilled workforce and provide a surge in job creation. It will promote sustainable and circular practices to address some of the critical societal issues, such as climate change mitigation, food security and human health.
Under ‘Vigyan Dhara’, the research & development (R&D) component of the unified scheme will be aligned with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). “Implementation of the scheme would follow the globally prevailing yardsticks while in alignment with the national priorities,” said govt.
BioE3 will play a crucial role in steering India towards its ‘net zero’ emission goal of 2070.
The proposed outlay for implementation of ‘Vigyan Dhara’ is over Rs 10,579 crore during the 15th Finance Commission period from 2021-22 to 2025-26. The merger of the schemes into a single scheme is aimed at enhancing efficiency in fund utilisation and establishing synchronisation among the sub-schemes/ programmes.
The BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) policy seeks to accelerate technology development and promote entrepreneurship and commercialisation by establishing biomanufacturing (manufacturing of bio-based products), Bio-AI hubs and biofoundry in the country. It will focus on high value bio-based chemicals, biopolymers and enzymes; smart proteins and functional foods; precision biotherapeutics; climate resilient agriculture; carbon capture and its utilisation; and marine and space research.
“Overall, this policy will further strengthen govt’s initiatives such as ‘net zero’ carbon economy and ‘Lifestyle for Environment’ (LiFE), and will steer India on the path of accelerated ‘green growth’ by promoting ‘circular bioeconomy’,” said a statement on the Cabinet decision.
Besides prioritising regenerative bioeconomy models of green growth, the BioE3 policy will facilitate expansion of India’s the skilled workforce and provide a surge in job creation. It will promote sustainable and circular practices to address some of the critical societal issues, such as climate change mitigation, food security and human health.
Under ‘Vigyan Dhara’, the research & development (R&D) component of the unified scheme will be aligned with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). “Implementation of the scheme would follow the globally prevailing yardsticks while in alignment with the national priorities,” said govt.