Lok Sabha Question No. 1060 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-18
Subject: Use of Bio-technology
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Ramcharan Bohra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1060

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.09.2020

Use of Biotechnology

1060. Shri Ram Charan Bohra :

## Will the Minister of Science and Technology be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether the  Government  is  encouraging  States for  the  use  of  Bio-technology  in  various fields of Agriculture;
- (b) If so, the details thereof along with the details of investment made by the Government for the research and development in organic farming.
- (c) Whether the government has invited proposals from the State Governments in this regard;
- (d) If so, the details of the ideas expressed/furnished by the States;
- (e) Whether some States have prepared their own Bio-technology policy and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) The  steps taken/being taken by the Government  to  provide  Bio-technology trained personnel in various fields including in agriculture to increase the overall production?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, EARTH SCIENCES AND HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE

- (a) Yes
- (b) Government  supports  Research  Institutes,  Central  &  State  Agriculture  Universitiesfor competitive  R&Dand  demonstration  activities  in  Agriculture  Biotechnologyincluding organic farming. The Biotech-Krishi Innovation Science Application Network (BiotechKISAN) programme also focuses on taking innovative technologies to the farmers. The activity has been supported across the country including Aspirational Districts. During the last  three  years, approximatelyRs. 310 crores has been invested for supporting the use of Biotechnology in agriculture including organic farmingthrough these programmes.
- (c) Government has not invited any proposal from the State Governments in this regards. (d) In view of (c) above, the question does not arise. (e) Twenty States and two Union Territories have prepared their own Biotechnology policy. Details are provided in Annexure I. (f) Government through Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has implemented integrated Human  Resource  Development  Program  in  Biotechnology to provide  Biotechnology trained personnel in various fields including agriculture. Some of the major programmes include  Postgraduate  Teaching  Program,  DBT-Junior  Research  Fellowship  Program, DBT-  Research  Associate  ship  and  DBT-Biotechnology  industry  Training  Program (Apprenticeship) Program for skilled and trained manpoweretc. These programmes are supported across the country.

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## Annexure-I

## The details of States/UTs having Biotechnology policy are as follows:

|   S. No. | Name of the State/UT   | Biotechnology Policy/Programme                             |
|----------|------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Andhra Pradesh         | Biotechnology Policy 2015-2020                             |
|        2 | Assam                  | Biotechnology Policy 2018-2022                             |
|        3 | Bihar                  | Biotechnology Policy                                       |
|        4 | Chandigarh             | Biotechnology Policy Chandigarh                            |
|        5 | Chhattisgarh           | Biotechnology Policy Chhattisgarh                          |
|        6 | Goa                    | Biotechnology Policy 2009                                  |
|        7 | Gujarat                | Biotechnology Policy 2016-2021                             |
|        8 | Haryana                | Biotechnology Policy Haryana 2002                          |
|        9 | Himachal Pradesh       | Biotechnology Policy 2014                                  |
|       10 | Jammu and Kashmir      | Biotechnology Policy 2010                                  |
|       11 | Jharkhand              | Jharkhand Information Technology/Biotechnology Policy 2012 |
|       12 | Karnataka              | Biotechnology Policy 2017-2022                             |
|       13 | Madhya Pradesh         | Biotechnology Policy 2003                                  |
|       14 | Maharashtra            | Biotechnology Policy 2001                                  |
|       15 | Odisha                 | Biotechnology Policy 2018                                  |
|       16 | Punjab                 | Punjab Biotechnology Programmes                            |
|       17 | Rajasthan              | Biotechnology Policy 2015                                  |
|       18 | Tamil Nadu             | Tamil Nadu Biotechnology Policy 2014                       |
|       19 | Telangana              | Biotechnology Policy 2015-2020                             |
|       20 | Uttar Pradesh          | Biotech Policy of UP 2014                                  |
|       21 | Uttarakhand            | Biotechnology Policy 2018-2023                             |
|       22 | West Bengal            | Biotechnology Policy 2013                                  |