Question : R&D in Bio-Technology

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has introduced any scheme with collaboration of Industry to promoting Research and Development (R&D) in the potential areas of bio-technology including agriculture;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the funds earmarked for this purpose during the current five year plan;
(d) whether the Union Government has sanctioned the National Bio-Diversity Action Plan and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) further action being taken by the Government in order to promote private sector participation in research and development in bio-technology and its utilization in different sectors?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES
(Y. S. Chowdary)


(a) and (b): Yes, Madam. Department of Biotechnology, through its Public Sector Undertaking – Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) has initiated a number of funding programmes in partnership with industry to promote R&D in diversified areas of biotechnology including Agriculture. These programmes support R&D for ideation, validation, scale-up and commercialization of the translational research. The programmes are:
• Biotechnology Industry Partnership Programme (BIPP)
• Small Business Innovation Research Initiative (SBIRI)
• Contract Research Scheme (CRS)
• Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG)
• Social Innovation programme for Products: Affordable & Relevant to Societal Health (SPARSH)

(c) BIRAC has received the funding for INR. 294.55 crores since FY 2012-13, till date, to implement such activities.

(d) India is a Party to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which calls upon all Parties to prepare national biodiversity strategy and action plans for conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. Accordingly, India had developed a ‘National Policy and Macrolevel Action Strategy on Biodiversity’ in 1999. The present document on National Biodiversity Action Plan has been prepared through a consultative process by revising and updating the earlier policy, so that it is in consonance with the National Environment Policy, 2006.
National Biodiversity Action Plan approved by the Union Cabinet on 6th November, 2008 (http://nbaindia.org/uploaded/Biodiversityindia/NBAP.pdf)
(e) BIRAC has initiated collaborations with national and international organizations and industry bodies, to promote translational research in biotechnology including sectors such as healthcare, vaccines, medical devices, agriculture, industrial biotechnology, incubation etc.