India has a rich legacy in science, technology and innovation. Our scientists have done path breaking research. Our tech industry is at the fore-front of solving global problems. But, India wants to do more. We look at the past with pride but want an even better future.
India's bio-economy has grown 8 times in the last 8 years. We have grown from $10 billion to $80 billion. India is not too far from reaching the league of top-10 countries in Biotech's global ecosystem”
The government has worked tirelessly for improving the potential and power of Indian economy. Mantra of Sabka Saath-Sabka Vikas is applicable on the different sectors of India also. The Ministry of Science & Technology has received an allocation of ₹16,361.42 crore in the Union Budget, a nominal increase of 15% from the previous budget estimate. This has resulted in reversal of the scene when few selected sectors were focused upon and other were left to fend for themselves. Today every sector is giving impetus to the development of the country, that is why every sector’s ‘Saath’ and every sector ‘Vikas’ is the need of the hour. This change in thinking and approach is giving results. For biotech sector too, unprecedented steps are being taken which are clearly manifested in the startup ecosystem. “In the last 8 years, the number of start-ups in our country has increased from a few hundred to 70 thousand.
Developments in health, agriculture, energy, natural farming, bio fortified seeds are creating new avenues for the sector. Recently, Prime Minister has inaugurated the Biotech Startup Expo – 2022 which is a reflection of the expansive growth of the biotech sector in the country.
The Biotech Startup Expo - 2022 was a two-day event to mark the completion of ten years of setting up of Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council. It is being organised by the Department of Biotechnology and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council BIRAC.
The Expo will act as a platform to connect entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders, scientists, researchers, bio-incubators, manufacturers, regulators and government officials.
Number of startups in India has increased from a few hundred to 70,000 in the last eight years across 60 different industries, more than 5,000 of these are associated with the biotech sector.
Country's first Biotech Start-Up Expo and for introducing this potential of India to the world. This expo is a reflection of the exponential growth of the biotech sector of India. India's bio-economy has grown eight times in the last eight years from $10 billion to $80 billion. India is not too far from reaching the league of top 10 countries in biotech's global ecosystem. At a time when India is celebrating the Amrit Mahotsav of independence and is setting new goals for the next 25 years, the role of the biotech sector is very important in giving a new impetus to the country's development. Today, if India is being considered as a land of opportunities in the field of biotech, then there are five big reasons among many reasons. First - diverse population, diverse climatic zones; Second - India's talented human capital pool; Third - ease of doing business in India; Fourth – the increasing demand for bio-products in India; and Fifth - India's biotech sector i.e., the track record of our successes. Together, these five factors increase the power of India manifold.
The biotech sector has also benefited greatly from the steps the government of India has taken in the last few years under the Atal Innovation Mission, Make in India and Atma Nirbhar Bharat campaign. The number of people investing in our biotech start-ups has grown by nine times since the launch of the Start-Up India. The number of biotech incubators and total funding has also increased by almost seven times. In 2014, there were only six bio-incubators in our country, today it has increased to 75. We had 10 biotech products in our country eight years ago. Today this number has grown to over 700. The biotechnology sector is also benefiting from the unprecedented investments India is making in its physical and digital infrastructure.
We have seen throughout the period of Covid how there can be unexpected results in a short span of time when these three work in tandem. From essential medical devices, medical infra to vaccine research, manufacturing and vaccinations, India did what no one could have imagined. At that time, various questions were being raised in the country. How will the tests be carried out in the absence of testing labs? How will there be coordination between different departments and the private sector? When will India get the vaccines? Even if the vaccines are found, how many years will it take to get everyone vaccinated in such a big country? Many such questions came before us time and again. But today with the power of ‘Sabka Prayas’ India has answered all the doubts. We have administered about 200 crore vaccine doses to the countrymen. The synergy between government, industry and academia from biotech to all other sectors has brought India out of the major crisis.
The biotech sector is one of the most demand-driven sectors. The campaigns for Ease of Living in India over the last few years have opened up new possibilities for the biotech sector. The way the treatment has been made affordable and accessible for the poor in the villages under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, the demand for the healthcare sector is increasing a lot. New opportunities have also emerged for bio-pharma. We are expanding these opportunities through telemedicine, digital health ID and drone technology. There is going to be a huge consumer base in the country for biotech in the near future.
Along with pharma, the major changes that India is introducing in the agriculture and energy sector are also offering new hope for the biotech sector. Bio-fertilizers and organic fertilizers are being encouraged to promote chemical free farming. Bio-fortified seeds are also being promoted to reduce the impact of climate change on agriculture and overcome malnutrition. The growing demand in the field of bio-fuels and expansion in R&D infrastructure is a huge opportunity for start-ups and SMEs associated with biotech. Recently, we have achieved the target of 10 percent blending of ethanol in petrol. India has also reduced the target of 20 percent blending of ethanol in petrol by five years from 2030 to 2025. All these efforts will create new employment opportunities for biotech professionals in the field of biotech.
Dr. Misfiqua Hasan
PhD Biotechnology
National Secretary BJP Minority Morcha & BJP Jharkhand Spokesperson
