Growth of India’s Biotechnology Sector

Growth of India’s Biotechnology Sector

Why in the News?

At the “Emerging Innovations in Biochemistry and Biotechnology” conference, the Union Minister of Science & Technology discussed the evolution of India’s biotechnology sector, with a special focus on the biotechnology potential of the Himalayan region, particularly Jammu & Kashmir.

Key Facts About India’s Biotechnology Sector:

• About: Biotechnology involves the use of biological systems, organisms, or their components to create products and technologies that benefit agriculture, medicine, industry, and sustainability.
• Types: Various applications span across agriculture, health, industrial biotechnology, and environmental sustainability.

Growth & Potential:

• India’s bioeconomy has expanded over 10 times in a decade, growing from USD 10 billion in 2014 to USD 130 billion in 2024, with a target of reaching USD 300 billion by 2030.
• Potential in Jammu & Kashmir: The region’s rich flora and diverse medicinal plants offer great potential for the pharmaceutical and herbal industries. Biotechnological research can help optimize high-altitude crops for better climate resilience and increased productivity.
• The Aroma Mission and the Floriculture Revolution (commercial flower farming) are significant contributors to the sector's growth.

Key Breakthroughs in 2024:

• Development of the world’s first Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
• Discovery of Nafithromycin, a groundbreaking indigenous antibiotic.
• India’s first successful gene therapy experiment for Hemophilia.

Government Initiatives:

• BioE3 Policy
• Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF)
• Bio-RIDE Scheme: From 50 biotech startups in 2014, the target is to reach 9,000 by 2025.

Progress in Global Innovation:

• India improved its ranking from 80th in 2014 to 39th in the Global Innovation Index 2024.
• India ranks 3rd in the Asia-Pacific region and 12th globally in biomanufacturing.
• More than 5,352 Indian researchers are now among the top 2% of scientists globally.

Aroma Mission (Lavender Revolution):

• About: Launched in Jammu & Kashmir, it aims to boost India's aroma industry by promoting the cultivation of aromatic crops and essential oil production.
• Focus: The cultivation of crops like lemongrass, lavender, vetiver, and palmarosa for fragrant oils used in cosmetics, aromatherapy, and food flavoring.
• Nodal Agency: CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Lucknow.
• Potential Impact: Expected to produce over 2,000 tonnes of oils worth Rs 300 crores annually, create 60 lakh rural jobs, and increase farmer incomes by Rs 60,000–70,000 per hectare annually.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ):

Prelims:
Q. Mycorrhizal biotechnology has been used in rehabilitating degraded sites because mycorrhiza enables plants to: (2013)

• (1) Resist drought and increase absorptive area
• (2) Tolerate extremes of pH
• (3) Resist disease infestation
  Select the correct answer using the codes below:

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Ans: (d)

Q. At present, scientists can determine the arrangement or relative positions of genes or DNA sequences on a chromosome. How does this knowledge benefit us?

• It is possible to know the pedigree of livestock.
• It is possible to understand the causes of all human diseases.
• It is possible to develop disease-resistant animal breeds.
  Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Ans: (c)

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