National Bio-Technology development strategy

The National Biotechnology Development Strategy aims at creating such tools and technologies that address the problems of the largest section of the society, provide products and services at affordable prices and make India globally competitive in the emerging bio-economy.

The basic goal of the National Biotechnology Development Strategy is to enable emergence of an eco-system that promotes innovation. The priority is to promote innovation in Biotechnology in Small and Medium size companies. To promote R&D in SMEs a ‘Small Business Innovation Research Initiative’ (SBIRI) scheme has been launched for funding early stage, pre-proof of concept research. Sectoral priorities have also been identified in the areas of agriculture, health, industry and environment. Strategy provides for producing more world class researchers, establish centres of excellence and interdisciplinary networks in the university system, strengthening technology transfer and patenting skills, promote biotech clusters and parks, build a strong regulatory system, improve transnational movement of biologicals, build new institutes in a few key areas where there is deficiency and link international partnerships to national goals.

The draft National Biotechnology Development Strategy was put on the website for six weeks for comments. More than 300 responses were received from students, scientists, academicians, policy makers, voluntary organizations, industries and International organizations. In addition, national and regional consultations were held with all stakeholders including the industries and NGOs. Based on the comments received, a draft Cabinet Note was prepared and circulated to concerned ministries / departments. Comments received from ministries / departments including Ministry of Finance and Planning Commission, have been taken into account while formulating the final Cabinet Note.

This information was given by the Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Shri Kapil Sibal in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

Source : Press Information Bureau
Date : August 04, 2006