Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw addresses the media on the Cabinet decision at the National Media Centre on Saturday. | Photo: Sushil Kumar Verma

The Union Cabinet on Saturday, August 24, 2024 approved the ‘BioE3’ (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) policy to promote high-quality bioproduction of the Department of Biotechnology.

According to Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the BioE3 policy aims to provide innovation-driven support for research and development and entrepreneurship across all thematic sectors.

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“This will accelerate technology development and commercialization through the establishment of bio-manufacturing and bio-AI hubs and bio-foundries,” he said.

This policy will prioritize regenerative bio-economy models of green growth. It will also facilitate the expansion of India’s skilled workforce and increase employment.

An official statement said the policy will further strengthen the government’s initiatives like a ‘Net Zero’ carbon economy and a ‘Lifestyle for Environment’ and put India on the path of accelerated ‘Green Growth’ by promoting a ‘Circular Bioeconomy’.

“The BioE3 policy will promote and advance a future that is more sustainable, innovative and responsive to global challenges and enshrine the Bio vision for Viksit Bharat,” the statement said.

According to the report, now is a good time to invest in the industrialization of biology to promote sustainable and circular practices and thus address a number of important societal issues, such as climate change mitigation, food security and human health.

It is important to build a resilient bioproduction ecosystem in our country so that we can accelerate breakthrough innovations for the development of bio-based products.

According to the statement, high-performance biomanufacturing is the ability to produce products from medicines to materials, to address agricultural and food challenges, and to advance the production of bio-based products through the integration of advanced biotechnological processes.

To address national priorities, BioE3 policy would broadly focus on the following strategic/thematic sectors: high-value bio-based chemicals, biopolymers and enzymes; smart proteins and functional foods; precision biotherapeutics; climate-resilient agriculture; carbon capture and utilisation; marine and space research.