Lok Sabha Question No. 5264 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-02
Subject: BioE3 Policy
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Dr. Sambit Patra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5264 ANSWERED ON 02.04.2025

'BioE3 Policy'

5264:   Dr. Sambit Patra

Will the Minister of SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has launched an initiative named as BioE3, if so, the objectives and details thereof;

(b)  whether  there  is  any  proposal  under  the  consideration  of  Government  to  develop  climate resilient food sources such as smart proteins under BioE3 policy, if so, the details thereof;

(c) the details of the quantum of budget earmarked for the implementation of BioE3 policy; and

(d) the details of the quantum of budget earmarked to support the funding for the development of smart proteins to achieve protein sufficiency in the country under BioE3 policy ?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY & EARTH SCIENCES

## (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a) Yes  Sir,  the  Department  of  Biotechnology,  has  launched  the BioE3  (Bio technology  for E conomy, E nvironment, and E mployment) Policy for ' Fostering High-Performance Biomanufacturing ' subsequent to the Union Cabinet approval, on 24 th August 2024. The  objective  of  the  BioE3  Policy  is  to  lay  down  the  framework  for  high-performance Biomanufacturing,  to  accelerate  the  development  and  scale  up  of  sustainable  Bio-based products  in  the  country.  The  Policy  will  play  a  pivotal  role  promoting  in  'Green  Growth'

while  driving  country's  Bioeconomy,  by  fundamentally  transforming  the  India's  economy from  today's  consumptive  manufacturing  paradigm  to  the  one  based  on  regenerative principles.

The Policy focuses on six thematic sectors of national importance (i) Bio-based chemicals and  enzymes,  (ii)  Smart  proteins  and  functional  foods,  (iii)  Precision  biotherapeutics,  (iv) Climate resilient agriculture, (v) Carbon-capture and its utilization and (vi) Marine and space research.  BioEnablers  including  Bio-Artificial  Intelligence  (AI)  Hubs,  Biofoundries  and Biomanufacturing Hubs will be set up to support research, innovation and scale-up across the thematic verticals through Public Private Partnership (PPP).

- (b) Yes, Sir. Under the BioE3 Policy 'Smart Proteins' has been identified as a thematic sector for the development of climate-resilient food sources, to address food and nutrition security as well as environmental challenges by supporting the development and scale up of smart proteins including fermentation-derived, plant-based, and cell culture-based proteins. Joint DBT and BIRAC Call  for Proposals  on  'Smart  Proteins'  for  fostering  high-performance biomanufacturing  under  BioE3  Policy  has  been  announced.  This  aims  to  foster  an innovative  ecosystem  for  enabling  the  development  of  a  sustainable  biomanufacturing ecosystem that delivers high-quality, affordable 'Smart Proteins' to meet India's nutritional and economic aspirations.
- (c) & (d) A budgetary outlay of Rs 1500 Crores for 3 years (from 2023-24 to 2025-26) has been approved under the 'Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development  (Bio-RIDE)'  scheme  of  DBT  for  the  Biomanufacturing  and  Biofoundry Initiative. This also includes funding of research & innovation, scaleup and for setting up of Biofoundries and Biomanufacturing Hubs for the biomanufacturing of smart proteins.

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