India's New BioE3 Policy to Propel Nation as Global Leader in Bioeconomy: Dr. Jitendra Singh
India’s newly approved BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) policy is poised to position the country as a global leader in the bioeconomy, said Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology. Speaking at a media briefing, Singh highlighted that the policy, cleared by the Union Cabinet under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to accelerate India’s transition to green growth and a Net Zero carbon economy.
The BioE3 policy is designed to foster high-performance biomanufacturing through the Department of Biotechnology, marking a transformative shift in India’s approach to manufacturing. Dr. Singh emphasized that the policy will significantly boost the economy, drive innovation, create employment, and enhance environmental commitments. “This new Bioeconomy policy is a game changer and will place India as a global leader in the years to come”, he stated.
The policy aims to pivot from traditional resource-intensive practices to regenerative biomanufacturing, focusing on sustainability and long-term growth. Singh noted that India's bio-economy has witnessed exponential growth, surging from $10 billion in 2014 to over $130 billion in 2024, with projections to reach $300 billion by 2030. He added that this growth positions India as a potential leader in the fourth industrial revolution.
Dr. Singh highlighted that the BioE3 policy will further strengthen the 'Make in India' initiative by promoting the development of bio-based products with minimal carbon footprints. The policy is designed to address pressing global challenges such as climate change and resource depletion by shifting from chemical-based industries to sustainable bio-based models. It also emphasizes the promotion of a circular bio-economy, targeting net-zero carbon emissions and encouraging bio-based innovation.
The Minister elaborated on the wide-ranging impacts of the policy, including the large-scale manufacturing of products like mRNA-based vaccines and proteins. Additionally, Bio-AI hubs will be established to integrate artificial intelligence in analyzing large-scale biological data, paving the way for advancements in gene therapies and food processing solutions.
Moreover, the BioE3 policy is expected to generate substantial employment opportunities, particularly in tier-II and tier-III cities, where biomanufacturing hubs will be set up. This decentralized approach will spur job creation and economic growth across the country, ensuring that the benefits of the bioeconomy are widely distributed.
