India is on track to becoming one of the world's top five global bio-manufacturing hubs by 2025, according to Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy, and Space. Dr. Singh's announcement came during the launch of the website for ‘Global Bio-India- 2023,’ a significant international event on biotechnology set to take place from December 4 to 6, 2023, at Pragati Maidan.
Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the rapid growth of India's bioeconomy over the last decade. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has witnessed a double-digit growth rate year-on-year. In 2014, India's bioeconomy was valued at approximately $10 billion, but it has since grown to $80 billion in just eight to nine years. Dr. Singh expressed optimism about reaching $300 billion by 2030, emphasizing that the biotechnology sector will play a significant role in India's economic development.
According to Dr. Jitendra Singh, biotechnology has the potential to become a vital instrument of global trade and bio-economy, contributing to India's overall economy. He noted that India is now rated among the top 12 biotechnology destinations in the world. The minister stressed the importance of biotechnology startups, which have grown exponentially in the last eight years, from just 52 startups in 2014 to over 6,300 today. He highlighted their role in providing viable technological solutions and fostering innovation.
Dr. Singh underscored India's unique advantages in biotechnology, such as its vast biodiversity, the Himalayan region's unique bioresources, and the extensive coastline. He also mentioned the Samudrayaan initiative, which aims to explore biodiversity beneath the seas. He stated that biotechnology offers a clean, greener, and more compatible environment, providing lucrative sources of livelihood and alternatives to petrochemical-based manufacturing.
The minister praised the success of Agritech startups, such as the Aroma Mission and lavender cultivation, which have enabled thousands of people to earn a substantial income. He also highlighted the Department of Biotechnology's support for R&D innovations in advanced biofuels and waste-to-energy technologies, which contribute to India's waste reduction efforts.
In response to the growing interest in biotechnology among the youth, Dr. Singh mentioned various cutting-edge technologies like Synthetic Technology, Genome Editing, Microbial Bioresources, and Metabolic Engineering that are now gaining attention. He cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, emphasizing how India's vaccine strategy, Mission Suraksha, has brought together pharmaceutical companies, industries, and academia to address current and future healthcare challenges.
Dr. Jitendra Singh also pointed to India's achievements in the scientific field, particularly the successes of Chandrayaan-3 and the development of DNA vaccines. He noted that India is now recognized as a global vaccination hub, showcasing the country's growth in preventive healthcare.
The minister credited Prime Minister Modi for creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurship and industry growth and called for collaboration between the public and private sectors to unlock India's unexploited resources. He highlighted the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF), which is envisioned to drive R&D and position India as a global R&D leader within the next five years. The NRF is expected to receive a significant portion of its budget from non-governmental sources, facilitating innovation and industry linkages.
Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), reiterated the government's support for biological manufacturing and the fostering of startup innovation within the biotechnology industry through the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) and other initiatives.
