Biodiversity to Bioeconomy

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, is driving a transformative shift in North East India (NER) by integrating biotechnology with biodiversity conservation and economic growth. Since 2010, DBT has allocated 10% of its annual budget to specialized programs in NER, fostering research, education, and entrepreneurship. Key initiatives include the Twinning Research and Development (R&D) Programme, which has supported over 650 projects and benefited nearly 2,000 researchers. Additionally, the establishment of 126 Biotech Hubs and Biotechnology Labs in Senior Secondary Schools (BLiSS) aims to enhance biotech education and research infrastructure. Visiting Research Professorship (VRP) programs and specialized training collaborations with premier institutions, such as the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), have further strengthened regional scientific capabilities. Moreover, targeted genomics, biomedical sciences, and chemical ecology research create new opportunities for local scientists and students.

DBT's interventions extend beyond research to practical applications that benefit local communities. The North East Centre for Agricultural Biotechnology (DBT-NECAB) supports farmers through advanced citrus research and cultivating high-value medicinal crops like Curcuma caesia and lemongrass. An essential oil distillation unit in Arunachal Pradesh and value-added product development from Docynia indica (Assam apple) are boosting rural entrepreneurship. Breakthrough innovations include the bacterial blight-resistant rice variety "Patkai," a lateral flow assay for brucellosis detection in livestock, and the Pig Disease Diagnosis Expert System (PDDES) mobile application. By merging scientific advancements with traditional knowledge, DBT’s initiatives are positioning NER as a hub for sustainable bioeconomic growth, setting a global example of how biotechnology can drive regional transformation while preserving ecological and cultural heritage.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.