Cabinet Clears Initiatives to Boost Biotech and Research in India

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• What is BioE3 Policy for Fostering High Performance Biomanufacturing?
• What is the ‘Vigyan Dhara’ Programme?

Why in News?

• The Union Cabinet cleared a proposal called ‘BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy for Fostering High Performance Biomanufacturing’ of the Department of Biotechnology.
• The Union Cabinet also decided to merge 3 umbrella schemes of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) into the ‘Vigyan Dhara’ programme.

What is BioE3 Policy for Fostering High Performance Biomanufacturing?

• What is high-performance biomanufacturing? It involves -
  • The production of products ranging from medicine to materials, tackling farming and food challenges, and
  • Promoting the manufacturing of bio-based products through the integration of advanced biotechnological processes.
• Focus areas of the policy: It primarily concentrates on the following 6 strategic sectors:
  • High-value bio-based chemicals, biopolymers & enzymes;
  • Smart proteins & functional foods;
  • Precision biotherapeutics;
  • Climate-resilient agriculture;
  • Carbon capture & its utilisation; and
  • Marine and space research.
• Key features of the policy: The BioE3 policy's key aspects involve -
  • Supporting innovation-driven R&D and entrepreneurship across various thematic sectors.
  • Expedite the development and commercialisation of technology through the establishment of Biomanufacturing & Bio-AI hubs and Biofoundry.
  • Bolster the Government's initiatives such as 'Net Zero' carbon economy and 'Lifestyle for Environment'.
  • Guiding India towards accelerated 'Green Growth' by encouraging 'Circular Bioeconomy'.
  • Nurture an advanced future that is more sustainable, innovative, and responsive to global challenges and sets out the Bio-vision for Viksit Bharat.
• Significance:
  • It will address some of the critical societal issues-such as climate change mitigation, food security and human health.
  • It is important to build a resilient biomanufacturing ecosystem in India to accelerate cutting-edge innovations for developing bio-based products.

What is the ‘Vigyan Dhara’ Programme?

• Background:
  • The DST acts as the nodal department for organising, coordinating and promoting S&T activities in the country.
  • 3 central sector umbrella schemes were being implemented by DST towards promoting Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in the country viz.
    • S&T Institutional and Human Capacity Building,
    • Research and Development and
    • Innovation, Technology Development and Deployment.
  • The Union Cabinet approved the merging of the above 3 schemes into a unified central sector scheme namely ‘Vigyan Dhara’.
• The primary objective of the 'Vigyan Dhara' scheme:
  • To promote S&T capacity building as well as research, innovation and technology development towards strengthening the STI ecosystem in the country.
  • Implementation of the scheme will strengthen the S&T infrastructure of the country by fostering well-equipped R&D labs in the Academic Institutions.
• The proposed outlay: For the implementation of the unified scheme ‘Vigyan Dhara’ is Rs.10,579.84 crore during the 15th Finance Commission period from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
• Significance of the merger: It would enhance efficiency in fund utilisation and establish synchronisation among the sub-schemes/programs. For example,
  • All the programs proposed under the ‘Vigyan Dhara’ scheme would be aligned with the 5-year goals of DST towards realising the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
  • The R&D component of the scheme will be aligned in line with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).

Q.1. What is the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)?

The ANRF has been established with the ANRF 2023 Act to seed, grow and promote R&D and foster a culture of research and innovation throughout India’s universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories.

Q.2. What is India's 'Net Zero' target?

India, at the 26th session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 26) in 2021, announced its target to achieve net zero/ carbon neutrality by 2070.

Source: Policy on high-performance biomanufacturing gets approval

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