Expeditious commercialization of Biotech Products

10.1   At present, biotech research is conducted in a project mode. To achieve the goals of developing commercial products, a mission-mode approach may be followed. Programmes of five-year duration defining goals and strategies, and involving multi-disciplinary partners should be considered for funding. Adequate funding should be ensured and clear time schedules of activities prepared and monitored. It will be useful to organize mini-networks of concerned scientists to accelerate progress by mobilizing the power of partnership. Convergence and synergy among various funding agencies need to be developed to avoid duplication and to promote synergy. Databases of projects at various stages of funding and implementation by different agencies should be developed and maintained at the proposed National Resource Centre for the Safe and Responsible use of agricultural biotechnology.

10.2       Our public research system is expected to extend the benefits of the development of agricultural biotechnology to the farmers. The private sector may supplement this function. A symbiotic public- private partnership for research and product development should be encouraged. Alliances between the public research system and public and private companies in the area of production and marketing of GM seeds also need to be established and strengthened. The existing extension personnel should be retrained and retooled to equip them to enter the age of Functional Genomics, Proteomics, recombinant DNA technology, and Nano-biotechnology. They should be capable of imparting genetic, quality and trade literacy among farm women and men.

10.3        The development of GM technology is expensive. Innovators who evolve new GM seeds may not always be in a position to provide the resources to commercialize their product. It is, therefore, suggested to set up a venture capital fund to help commercialize research breakthroughs in the development of GM seeds/crops. The different links between discovery and field delivery need integrated attention.

10.4          Considerable investments have been made during the last 20 years and hence necessary facilities to carry out biotechnological research and training are available in several parts of the country. Many Universities have started M.Sc. and Ph.D. programmes in biotechnology. Funding for specific equipments and maintenance and improvement of existing facilities may be considered on a case-by-case basis. The aim should be to generate a critical mass of inter-disciplinary effort and create inter-disciplinary centers staffed by outstanding young professionals in all fields of biotechnology. Indian private sector companies may also be encouraged to make greater investments in R & D

10.4   A preliminary assessment by the Task Force of fund requirement for implementing our recommendations and for giving a push to the application of bio-technology on the basis of the work being done in the public sector indicates that in all Rs. 1200 crores of additional funds may be needed during the remaining three years of the Tenth plan period. Out of this, the Department of Agriculture may provide approximately Rs. 300 crores to develop and augment capacity building, human resource development, monitoring and surveillance, development of organic farming zones and Agro-biodiversity sanctuaries, initiating a special GMO insurance scheme, public and political understanding about applications of bio-technology in agriculture, training and retraining of extension personnel, and assisting farm and home science graduates to set up agri-clinics and agri-business centers for Agricultural Biotechnology. About Rs. 200 crores may be provided during 2004-07 for venture capital. The strengthening of the regulatory and surveillance mechanisms, including the setting up of a National Biotechnology Regulatory Authority may require about Rs. 150 crores during the next three years. In addition, DARE/ICAR, Department of Animal Husbandary and Dairying and DBT may provide an additional Rs. 400 crores to upgrade research infrastructure, undertake human resource development, accelerate progress in research and education relating to biotechnology applications in crop and animal husbandary and inland and marine fisheries, and organize a special All India Coordinated Research Project on GM crops. A provision of Rs. 150 crores may be made for the creation of infrastructure for establishing Ag-biotech Parks, on the model of the one developed by ICRISAT in Hyderabad. Atleast one such park may be established in every State during the next three years in collaboration with NABARD. Requirement of funds for the current year may be assessed by the Ministry of Agriculture and proposed to Government for funding in the regular budget of 2004-05.

10.5   The AG-biotech Parks should provide the necessary infrastructure and common facilities like e-commerce, website, brand name, etc., to agricultural, veterinary fisheries, home science and forestry graduates who wish to start agri-clinics and agri-business centers in the area of agricultural and food biotechnology. Decentralised market-driven enterprises supported by core common facilities will have the advantage of low transaction costs and lateral learning among the Ag-biotech Park community. 2004 has been designated by the United Nations as the International year of Rice. Hence, a few Rice Bio-Parks designed to produce value-added commodities from the rice straw, bran and husk can be started during this year under the national grid of Ag-Biotech Parks.