Shillong, September 24: Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), a National Institute of Department of Biotechnology, Govt of India took a major initiative today to launch a National Mission on Bioeconomy. This is a unique mission of its kind , which is being launched for the first time in India ,which can create a large number of new jobs starting from the village level to the processing and value addition at the urban area, said Prof Dinabandhu Sahoo, Director of IBSD, who is the main force behind this National Mission.
IBSD has taken this major step to launch this mission on Bioeconomy through sustainable utilization of renewable biological resources for food, bio-based products and bioenergy through knowledge based approaches which has the potential to generate new solutions for the planet’s most important challenges regarding energy, health, food, water, and climate change delivering social, environmental and economic benefits.
Mr KS Kropha IAS, Chief Secretary, Govt of Meghalaya, stated that Meghalaya and NE India being amongst the World’s top 10 biodiversity hotspots, has great potential to develop a vibrant bioeconomy for the socio-economic development of the region.
Sahoo said Bioeconomy is a new concept. USA, Canada, European Union and Australia, have established initiatives on Bioeconomy. However, India does not have a dedicated strategy and policy on Bioeconomy, even though it is rich in biodiversity. A latest estimate pegs India’s fast-growing Bioeconomy at US$35 billion in 2015, which can rise even to US$100 billion.
He further stated this National Mission on Bioeconomy envisages the development of a roadmap for an actionable policy recommendation involving all stakeholders for the transformation of India through job creation from small scale livelihood enterprises to commercial scale production for increased economic growth through technological packages to increase primary production, value addition of the unique bioresources through industrial biotechnology and provision of bio services, with tailored packages that are relevant to specific regions across India.
The one day Brainstorming Session was attended by Vice Chancellor of NEHU Shillong, Director Indian Institute of Management (IIM)-Shillong, Additional Principal Conservator of Forests (Research & Training), Govt of Meghalaya, Directors of several National Institutes of Govt of India, stakeholders, industry captains, scientists and academicians.
