Lok Sabha Question No. 232 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-27
Subject: ‘BioE3’ Policy
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri Vijayakumar Alias Vijay Vasanth, Shri Manickam Tagore B

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA ADMITTED/UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 232 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27/11/2024

## 'BioE3 Policy'

- 232: Shri Vijayakumar Alias Vijay Vasanth:

Shri Manickam Tagore B:

## Will the Minister of SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ͪव£ान और Ĥौɮयोͬगकȧ मंğी

be pleased to state:

- (a) the manner  in which 'BioE3' policy will specifically accelerate technology development and commercialization in the  biomanufacturing sector and  the  key performance indicators for measuring its success;
- (b) the steps taken/being taken to establish biomanufacturing and bio-AI hubs, as well as  biofoundries,  under  the  'BioE3'  policy,  the  manner  in  which  these  initiatives contribute to the expansion of India's skilled workforce and job creation;
- (c)  the  manner  in  which  the  'BioE3'  policy  aligns  with  the  Government's  existing initiatives such as the 'Net Zero'  carbon  economy  and  the 'Lifestyle for Environment' program, the synergies that are expected between these policies to promote green growth and a circular bioeconomy; and
- (d)  the  details  of  the  strategic  and  thematic  sectors  prioritized  under  the  'BioE3' policy,  and  the  manner  in  which  the  policy  will  address  challenges  related  to climate-resilient  agriculture,  carbon  capture,  marine  and  space  research,  and other focus areas?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND  TECHNOLOGY &  EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

## ͪव£ान और Ĥौɮयोͬगकȧ तथा पृØ  वी ͪव£ान मंğालय क े  राÏ य मंğी (è वतंğ Ĥभार) (डॉ. िजतेÛ ġ ͧसंह)

- (a) The BioE3 Policy aims at accelerating development of technologies for bio-based products  and  their  commercialization  by  setting  up  of  BioEnablers  that  include Bio-Artificial  (Bio-AI) Intelligence  Hubs, Biofoundries and Biomanufacturing Hubs across the country. Bio-AI hubs will be set up to augment research and innovation for  the  development of technologies for bio-based products across the identified thematic sectors/subsectors of Biomanufacturing, by powering data-driven research and AI informed predictive analytics. The Biofoundries and Biomanufacturing  Hubs  will  aim  at  setting  up  of  infrastructure/  facilities  for augmenting scale up of technologies for bio-based products. The key performance  indicators  (KPIs)  for  meaningful  success  have  been  identified  in terms of setting up of Biofoundries and Biomanufacturing Hubs.
- (b)DBT-BIRAC have issued a joint call for proposals to invite applications for setting up  of  ' मूलांक ु र BioEnablers  -  Biofoundries  and  Biomanufacturing  Hubs'  in  both academia and industry. The Bio-Enablers will also provide training and internship for  building  human  resources  with  the  required interdisciplinary,  cross functional technical skills to foster biomanufacturing.
- (c) The BioE3 Policy is aligned with India's vision of Green Growth (announced in the Union Budget 2023-24) and also with the clarion call of the Hon'ble Prime Minister on 'Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE)' which envisions collective approach towards sustainability.  The  Policy  also  aligns  with  the  Hon'ble  Prime  Ministers  vision  of ' Net-Zero' carbon  economy  of  the  country.  Further,  the  Biomanufacturing  and Biofoundry  initiative  has  been  announced  as  a  scheme  during  Government's Interim Budget for 2024-25.
- (d)  Based  on  National  Consultation  meeting  and  inter-ministerial  consultations  six thematic sectors along with subsectors of national importance have been priotized for implementation under the BioE3 Policy. These include (i) Bio-based chemicals and enzymes, (ii) Functional foods and Smart proteins, (iii) Precision biotherapeutics,  (iv)  Climate  resilient  agriculture,  (v)  Carbon  capture  and  its utilization, (vi) Futuristic marine and space research. A series of Sectoral Expert Committee  meetings  have  been  conducted  across  the  country  and  current scenario  (both  global  and  national),  gaps  and  challenges  as  well  as  existing strengths  and  opportunities  have  been  identified  for  each  selected  sector/  subsector. These are currently  being addressed.