Advancing Climate Resilience in Agriculture

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) of the Government of India recently held its fifth webinar in the Biofoundry and Bio-manufacturing Initiative series. This event took place on January 13, 2024, and focused on the theme โBio-manufacturing for Climate Resilient Agriculture.โ This topic is a vital component of the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment & Employment) Policy, which aims to position India as a global leader in bio-based innovations. Approved by the Union Cabinet in August 2024, the BioE3 Policy emphasizes sustainable bio-manufacturing across various sectors, including agriculture. The initiative seeks to support economic growth while ensuring environmental sustainability.
Importance of Climate Resilience in Agriculture
The webinar served as a platform for academia, industry leaders, start-ups, and researchers to discuss advancements and opportunities in sustainable and regenerative agriculture. The discussions highlighted the urgent need for climate resilience in agriculture. As climate change poses significant threats to food security, it is essential to sustain agricultural yields and improve quality while protecting the environment. The entire agricultural value chain, from production to waste management, requires a comprehensive overhaul to maximize efficiency and minimize waste.
Dr. Vaishali Panjabi, a Scientist at DBT, emphasized the BioE3 Policy’s vision to promote high-performance bio-manufacturing for sustainable growth. She pointed out that agriculture is both a major contributor to climate change and highly vulnerable to its effects. This dual challenge necessitates innovative, biotechnology-driven solutions to transform the sector. By addressing these issues, India can meet global food demands while reducing environmental impacts and advancing its bio-economy.
Innovations in Bio-manufacturing
Dr. Sumita Kumari, another Scientist at DBT, provided insights into the potential of bio-manufacturing to revolutionize the agricultural sector. She discussed how sustainable practices and disruptive technologies can harness India’s rich biodiversity to enhance climate resilience in agriculture. The integration of biotechnology into farming practices can lead to more sustainable production methods, ultimately benefiting both farmers and consumers.
Dr. Gopaljee Jha from the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR) elaborated on strategies to leverage India’s vast bio-resources. He outlined how the country can develop bio-based solutions to sustain agricultural production systems amid climate change. By focusing on microbial and plant systems, India can improve plant productivity. He also highlighted the importance of advanced technologies like synthetic biology and artificial intelligence in creating novel bio-protectants, bio-stimulants, and bio-fertilizers.
Industry Perspectives on Bio-manufacturing
The industry perspective was presented by Dr. Renuka Diwan, Co-founder and CEO of Bioprime Agri Solutions Pvt Ltd. She discussed the various aspects of bio-manufacturing necessary for building climate resilience in agriculture. Key topics included sourcing raw materials, standardization, process optimization, and yield enhancement. Dr. Diwan emphasized that the BioE3 Policy is creating an enabling environment for long-term growth and competitiveness in the agricultural sector.
She also addressed the technology requirements for scaling up bio-manufacturing and the importance of financial support and incentives. These elements are crucial for fostering innovation and ensuring that the agricultural sector can adapt to changing climate conditions. The session concluded with an engaging Q&A segment, where participants discussed challenges and opportunities in bio-manufacturing for climate resilience, along with regulatory considerations.
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