Union Minister Jitendra Singh declared on Saturday that bio-manufacturing will be pivotal in shaping the future global economy, positioning India at the forefront of this emerging sector. Singh emphasized India?s unique advantage due to its abundant and largely untapped bio-resources, suggesting that the country is ready to lead the next major technological revolution, much like the IT revolution once led by the West.

Bio-manufacturing, according to Singh, holds the key to solving several global issues, including climate change, resource depletion, waste generation, and pollution. It offers promising solutions for meeting the increasing demands for food and fuel while simultaneously creating new job opportunities.

Singh also pointed out that India?s heavy reliance on crude oil imports could be mitigated through bio-manufacturing. By leveraging carbon dioxide and other resources, India could enhance its self-reliance in fuel production. Additionally, bio-manufacturing could support the dairy industry by providing non-dairy milk alternatives, promoting sustainable resource use.

Last week, the Union Cabinet endorsed the 'BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy for Fostering High Performance Biomanufacturing'. This new policy aims to advance research, technology development, and commercialization in the bio-manufacturing sector. It includes the establishment of bio-manufacturing and bio-AI hubs and biofoundries, and supports the production of a range of products from medicine to materials. The policy also emphasizes the application of cutting-edge biotechnological processes in agriculture and manufacturing.