Assam is gearing up to position itself as a leader in biomanufacturing by harnessing its unique resources, skilled workforce, and the right policies to drive innovation and sustainable growth. Ravi Kota, the Chief Secretary of Assam, recently discussed the significance of biomanufacturing for the state’s future.
During an exclusive interview with Business North East (BNE), he highlighted the potential of bio-foundries in transforming several sectors, including agriculture and the healthcare industry, while fostering employment opportunities and economic progress in the region. The Chief Secretary of Assam believes that biomanufacturing has the potential to redefine industries and transform Assam into a hub of innovation and sustainable growth.
Here are the excerpts from the interview in Q&A format:
BNE: Mr. Kota, how would you describe the importance of biomanufacturing and its relevance to Assam?
Ravi Kota: Biomanufacturing is still relatively new in terms of policy and industry adoption. In August 2024, the Union Cabinet approved the E3 policy, which laid the foundation for a structured approach to biomanufacturing in India. Biomanufacturing holds great promise as it combines biotechnology, bio-AI, and genetic engineering to produce microbes on a large scale that could be beneficial to society. Its application can solve severe problems in agriculture, healthcare, and industry.
For example, it can create advanced bio fertilisers, innovative healthcare technologies, and new industrial processes. Also, the ability to engineer microbes opens up the door to solving complex global problems.
The infrastructure needed for biomanufacturing is called bio-foundry. Assam, with its Biotechnology Park and several advanced research institutions, is well-positioned to emerge as a hub for bio-foundries. The groundwork is being prepared through educational institutions like Cotton University and upcoming initiatives by NIELIT, such as bioinformatics courses. If we bring together academic institutions, research bodies, and the private sector, Assam can position itself as a leader in this field. This will spur innovation and create jobs for youth in the state.
BNE: Do you think Assam’s existing industrial policy requires changes to integrate biomanufacturing?
Ravi Kota: Absolutely! Biomanufacturing is a highly specialised and technology-intensive industry, and perhaps the existing industrial policies need a reorientation for its specific requirements. Policy-making is a continuous process, and it should be done after consultation with all the stakeholders, including industry specialists, researchers, and policymakers. Through this combined effort, we can pinpoint areas where Assam can thrive and utilise the resources effectively.
For instance, biomanufacturing has a huge scope for agriculture and technology. Advanced biofertilisers and pest management would be made available to Assam farmers. New avenues in bio-AI and genetic engineering could also propel technological innovation. But we are still at the very beginning of this journey. We will bring together the ideas and suggestions from all the stakeholders to develop concrete action plans. These will provide the basis for any revisions in the industrial policy.
BNE: Can you elaborate on how biomanufacturing can specifically benefit Assam’s agriculture sector?
Ravi Kota: The agriculture sector in Assam is likely to be transformed by biomanufacturing. We can produce beneficial microbes that will help us create biofertilisers, which will improve soil health and sustainably increase crop yields. Biomanufacturing can also help develop eco-friendly pest control solutions, reducing the reliance on chemical pesticides. This shift to sustainable agricultural practices will directly benefit farmers by increasing productivity and reducing input costs.
Bio-AI also can analyse agricultural data and help farmers in Assam come up with tailored solutions for their specific problems. This blend of biotechnology and artificial intelligence propels precision farming practices that lead to the maximum utilisation of all resources. All this will go a long way in enhancing farmer livelihoods, food security, and environmental sustainability.
BNE: What role do Assam institutions and resources play in fostering biomanufacturing?
Ravi Kota: Assam has a strong foundation that can grow the biomanufacturing process. The Biotechnology Park, a major asset to the state, can work as an innovation hub and collaborate with researchers, entrepreneurs, and industries. Moreover, it houses some of the most acclaimed academic institutions - such as Cotton University. It can contribute through various research and development activities.
While the above steps are pivotal, another important area is the introduction of skill development programmes. For instance, NIELIT has started some bioinformatics courses, and many more such specialised programmes are being offered. This will provide the requisite skills to students and professionals. This, in turn, would spur leveraging these resources with academia-industry-government collaboration and create a thriving biomanufacturing eco-space in Assam.
BNE: Are there any immediate plans or roadmaps for implementing biomanufacturing in Assam?
Ravi Kota: It is too early to sketch a more detailed roadmap. We are still in the initial stages of discussion. This two-day event we are currently hosting will provide us with an opportunity to receive some fantastic recommendations from the experts and the stakeholders. The findings will lead us to what to prioritise first and what should be done now.
Our approach will be step by step. We start by identifying strengths in Assam and the low-hanging fruits we can seize. Subsequently, we may focus on capacity building, infrastructural creation, and building collaborative networks. And once we build the foundation for these foundational elements, we will scale up efforts to put Assam in the lead of the biomanufacturing process.
BNE: What is your vision for Assam’s future in the biomanufacturing industry?
Ravi Kota: I hope to see Assam emerge as a front-runner in biomanufacturing and bio-foundries in India and worldwide. All it needs is all the ingredients in place: a good academic and research base, growth of skilled professional talent and support from the government. Together, we plan to find innovative solutions to tackle challenges in the agriculture and healthcare sectors.
Moreover, biomanufacturing may become a sector to drive the sustainability of this development. So, through environmentally sound practices and green technologies, I can ensure rapid growth is both fast and clean. With active participation by all stakeholders in this field, Assam will surely be at the forefront of this transformative venture.
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