Odisha Shows Promise in Sustainable Bioeconomy at Global Bio-India 2023

New Delhi: “Odisha has a huge potential to grow in Bioeconomy. The products I see here at Odisha Pavilion are very innovative & adapt cutting edge technology. This is a testament to the untapped capability of young entrepreneurs from Odisha.” This statement of Biocon Executive Chairperson and a biotechnology luminary Kiran Mazumdar Shaw at Global Bio-India 2023 recapitulates the Odisha success story in Biotechnology.

Odisha with it’s huge natural resources and biodiversity is a conducive land for developing biotechnology based enterprises. While participating at the three-day ‘Global Bio-India 2023’ organised at Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, the state is showcasing its potential, policy and progress in the sector.

This international event is convened by the Department of Biotechnology and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.

“With vast Bioresources, new age Innovation & Research, Incubation, Modern Biotech Park, an enabling Industry Ecosystem coupled with a dynamic policy framework IPR2022 under the vision of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Naven Patnaik, Odisha is making rapid strides in the Biotech sector to be a part of the global BioEconomy”, highlighted Ashok Chandra Panda the Minister for Science & Technology Dept, Govt of Odisha while speaking in the plenary session on Biotech Ecosystem at Global Bio-India 2023.

The Department of Science and Technology, Government of Odisha has joined the Global Bio-India 2023. The department, while presenting the state’s vision on the sector is hosting 10 innovative startups at the Odisha Pavilion showcasing their unique ideas and products. The visiting startups are from different technology incubators of the state such as the Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) and KIIT TBI.

“The Odisha government is prioritizing Biotech as a thrust sector. Biotechnology startups are being promoted in the state. Similarly, a special Biotech Park has been instituted to foster enterprises in the sector. Along with this, the new biotechnology policy that the state government is going to bring shall offer incentives to various stakeholders and will be instrumental in the sustainable growth of BioEconomy in the state,” said Chithra Arumugam Principal Secretary Science & Technology Dept, Govt of Odisha. She was speaking at the special session on policies and investment programs introduced by various states for the expansion of the biotechnology industry at Global Bio-India 2023.

Odisha Millets Mission, a flagship program of Govt of Odisha, promotes Millets as a climate resilient and sustainable crop for food security, livelihood and nutrition. “The State Govt is taking steps to bring millets into the ambit of Biotechnology policy in the coming days,” informs the Minister at the international event.

Global Bio-India 2023 features various scientific workshops and exhibitions on Biotechnology innovations and products. It connects the stakeholders from policy, industry, startups, research and related spheres under one common forum to deliberate on the current status and future potential of Bio Technology in India.

The Odisha delegation at the event comprised of Joint Secretary Puja Mishra, Deputy Director (Biotechnology) Dr. Shashikant Dash, Senior Scientist Laxminarayan Padhi, BCKIC Chairman Dr. Mrutyunjay Suar among others. Bhubaneswar City Knowledge Innovation Cluster (BCKIC) has been associated with the department as a Knowledge Partner for the programme.