Bhubaneswar: Science and Technology Department successfully organised the consultative workshop on the new Biotechnology Policy of the State. Feedbacks of stakeholders across academia, industry and Government were significant. More than 50 participants from industry, academia, and Government attended the workshop.
All stakeholders emphasized more on strengthening the biotechnology ecosystem in terms of infrastructure and translational Research and Development (R&D) projects. While Government of Odisha in its IPR-2022 has identified Biotechnology as a thrust sector, all eligible biotechnology ventures will be given adequate government handholding with support, stakeholders opined. Besides, industry experts opined to focus on key potential areas such as marine biotechnology, biomedical engineering, diagnostics, bio-mineral processing, biodiversity to bring investment to the State.
Academicians and Government of India officials viewed a strong implementation framework, organisation structure, monitoring and evaluation framework, digital platform, feedback system and strengthening of inter-connected systems for better delivery of services and ease of governance. The policy will be ready for Government approval in the next two months.
Sri Ashok Chandra Panda, Minister, Science and Technology interacted with the delegates and participants while saying that Bio-marine technology sector should find place in the policy and linkage with Indian Institute of Oceanography be undertaken.
Many institutes have been roped in to take forward further research and upgradation in biotechnology, Besides, Government has tied up the Utkal University and Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) for the betterment of Biotech sector in Odisha.
Sri Bhaskar Sarma, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Science & Technology Department along with other senior officers of the Department were present in the workshop.
