03��September2015

IndiaHabitatCenter,NewDelhi

RECOMMENDATIONS

THE ASSOCIATED CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY OF INDIA

Department of BiotechnologyMinistry of Science & Technology

Government of India

Department of Scientific and Industrial ResearchMinistry of Science & Technology

Government of India

Department of Science and TechnologyMinistry of Science & Technology

Government of India

griculture continues to be backbone of developing economies including India for its Avital role in providing food, feed, fibre, fuel and livelihood for the world's 800 million

people who suffer from hunger and poverty. Of the many strategies that have been

forwarded to address the issues of global poverty and environmental degradation, bio-

nano-technology is seen as a viable contribution to the solution. Bio-nano-technology

worldwide including India has demonstrated enormous potential to achieve agricultural

sustainability and development.

To pursue the goal of agricultural development, we are pleased to inform you that

ASSOCHAM has organized 4th BIO-NANO-AGRI SUMMIT 2015” Technologies to

transform Agriculture in India” on 03rd September 2015 at New Delhi. The summit largely

focused on R&D, technical innovations, investments, policy guidance, market outlook and

international cooperation to tap the enormous market potential for the development of

agriculture sector in India. Specific recommendation emerged out of the summit are as

follows:-

INTRODUCTION

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Public Private Partnership: The current R&D investments and funding's are

fragmented across various organizations and projects. Pooling of resources in a

planned manner will facilitate result oriented research. This can be achieved through

meaningful public private partnerships (PPP) at the conceptualization stage of

research work. The government needs to encourage the views of private sector

leaders during such decision making and conceptualization phase. However, such

models can only be successful when there is a clearly identified path to the market.

2. Capacity Building: One of the major challenges that can be addressed through such

PPP models is capacity building in terms of handling of bio-nano technology in

laboratories. National level labs needs a special training with respect to maintaining

GLP and other testing standards. Young scientists need to train in biosafety data

generation/ data analysis/dossier preparation. International collaborations by way of

Dr R. Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India and other dignitaries inaugurating the Summit by

lighting of the lamp

Release of the Knowledge Report “Enhancing Agricultural Growth:

Biotechnology and Nano Technology” by the Chief Guest and Dignitaries on the dias

Dr R. Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India addressing the

Summit

MoUs with global bio-nano technology research institutes focusing on agriculture

should be promoted for skills up gradation and knowledge sharing.

3. Infrastructure Improvement and Quality Compliance: There should be more

testing laboratories with adequate infrastructure and manpower to check the quality of

bio-nano products at various stages of production, marketing, procurement and

application. For bio-nano efficacy testing, Indian Council of Agricultural Research

(ICAR) institutes, State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) and some traditional

universities having good infrastructural facilities. There should be a strict and

transparent monitoring of production units to ensure quality product. Top priority

should be given for the development of infrastructure for piloting/scale up and Bio

Nano manufacturing.

4. Investments: To accelerate research in Bio-Nano technology in agriculture, an

increase in investment is needed. Government funding agencies, agriculture and

allied industries, venture capitals, and other financial institutes should consider

investing in R&D. Funding should not be restricted to development of applications

based on Bio-Nano materials but also extend to characterization of these materials,

toxicity assessment, and studies on environmental fate and behavior. Dedicated

funding mechanisms for Bio-Nano manufacturing should be created.

5. Communication Advocacy: A specific plan with specific objectives for public

communication needs to be devised which will help to communicate the decision

makers that modern Bio-Nano technology can be an effective tool for increasing

agricultural productivity, and thereby economic growth, without imposing

unacceptable risk to the environment or human and animal health. It will also enable

members of the public to make informed decisions about appropriate uses of bio-nano

technology by providing accurate information about benefits, risks and impacts.

6. Regulations: Development of Indian regulations for Bio-Nano technology and its

applications; standards for Bio-Nanomaterials or Bio-Nano-enabled products; and

internationally agreed terminology/definitions for Bio-Nanomaterials will help a long

way in shaping the Bio-Nanotechnology industry in India and attracting investments

into this industry. Development and promotion of regulations that will stimulate private

sector research in fields of common interests, both to the public and to the industry,

should be fostered.

Dr Mittur N, Jagadish, Head- Biotech Facilitation Cell, KBITS, Department of IT BT

and S&T, Government of Karnataka addressing the Summit

Dignitaries on the Dias at the Plenary Session

H.E. Tomasz Łukaszuk, The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the

Republic of Poland to India

7. State biotechnology regulatory advisory committee: Each state government

needs to establish a biotechnology regulatory advisory committee which shall act as

a nodal agency for intraction between the state government and central government

in matters related to modern biotechnology, it shall also collaborate with the nodal

authority for undertaking capacity building and information sharing activities related

to biotechnology within the state.

8. Technology transfer and technology absorption: It is not only essential to develop

new technologies but transfer of technologies to the field is important as well. This

requires a strong commitment and coordination of organizations, entrepreneurs,

businesses and agencies.

9. Innovation: In order to stimulate academic research an innovation oriented

programme aiming at the protection and stimulation of fundamental research in Bio-

Nano technological disciplines, the creation of an infrastructure fit to bridge the gap

between the scientific community and industry.

10. Scaling up of Best Practices: ASSOCHAM believes that a globally time-tested

R&D model needs to be implemented to support the bold vision of Indian

manufacturing and innovations and a tremendous support for R&D projects to

strengthen basic research and technology development is needed.

11. Environmental, Safety and Risk Issues: Bio-Nanomaterials may be exposed to

humans and environment during production, transport, storage and disposal.

Therefore Bio-Nanomaterials and products might give rise to environmental Health

and Safety Risks. ASSOCHAM believes that there should be accessibility to

Government approved labs for doing Bio-Nanomaterial risk management. There

should be International collaborations for better technology access especially for

environment and safety compliance.

ASSOCHAM Corporate Office: 5, Sardar Patel Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110 021

Tel: 011-46550555 (Hunting Line) • Fax: 011-23017008, 23017009

Email: assocham@nic.in • Website: www.assocham.org

THE ASSOCIATED CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY OF INDIA

Dr. Shilpi Gupta, Manager-Technical (Discovery & Product Development – Green Technology), BIRAC addressing the Summit

Dr. Bharat Char, Biotechnology Head, Mahyco addressing the Summit

Glimpses of the Delegates