Parliament Question: Green hydrogen and Bio-manufacturing in NER

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4456 ANSWERED ON 02.04.2026 Green hydrogen and Bio-manufacturing in NER 4456. Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla: Will the Minister of Science and Technology be pleased to refer to answer to Unstarred Question 1557 given in the Rajya Sabha on the 12th February, 2026 and state: the manner in which the Bio-RIDE scheme is promoting the development of Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry capacity in the North Eastern Region (NER)? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY & EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH) The BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) policy of the Government of India has laid down the strategic framework for promoting High Performance Biomanufacturing in the country. The policy has identified six thematic areas viz. (i) Biobased chemicals, Biopolymers, APIs and Enzymes; (ii) Smart Proteins and Functional foods; (iii) Precision therapeutics; (iv) Climate resilient agriculture; (v) Carbon Capture and Utilization; and (vi) Marine and Space Research. Eleven calls for proposals have been announced in these thematic areas of Biomanufacturing under the categories; a) Discovery & Application-oriented Integrated Network Research and, b) Bridging the Gap for Scale up. In order to augment research infrastructure for scale up across the six thematic verticals, initiatives have been taken to set up the “मूलाकं ुर BioEnablers – Biofoundries and Biomanufacturing Hubs” including the Bio-Artificial Intelligence Hubs across the country. These initiatives are being implemented by Ministry of Science and Technology, Department of Biotechnology jointly with its public sector undertaking, Biotechnology Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) in a manner, to provide the opportunities to stakeholders from academia, start ups and industries; for building Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry capacities across the country on the basis of scientific merit, innovation element and scale of the process and products. The proposal under the ‘Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry Component’ are being taken up through open call for proposals and in Mission Mode, while 10% of the budget under the component has been earmarked for the North Eastern Region (NER). Department is also strengthening Centre-State partnerships to establish the BioE3 cells for building capacities in states to promote the state specific biomanufacturing ecosystem. Towards this, State BioE3 Cells have been notified by the respective state governments in two north-eastern states viz. Assam and Sikkim. A Network proposal has been supported involving iBRIC Institutes and State Government of Sikkim to develop and test, bio-based solutions in circumventing pest/pathogens of large cardamom and develop new disease-tolerant varieties. The program also aims to utilize bio- innovations to address local priorities and promote sustainable farming systems. A list of projects supported under the ‘Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry Component’ being implemented in NER, is placed at Annexure I.Annexure- I List of projects being implemented in NER states under ‘Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry Component. S.Nm Project Titled NER State Implementing Institute 1. Exploring Carbon Capture and Utilization in Millet- Arunachal Central Agricultural Based Agroforestry Systems: Enhancing Biomass and Pradesh University, Manipur Soil Carbon through Microbial Activity 2. Carbon Sequestration through Afforestation & Meghalaya Bio-Resources Bioengineered Plant Systems Development Centre, Shillong 3. Developing and demonstrating microalgae-based CO Assam Indian Institute of 2 capture and biomass valorization towards high- Technology , Guwahati performance biomanufacturing of sustainable aviation Malaviya National fuel and biopesticide Institute of Technology , Jaipur 4. Development of Genetically Engineered Microalgae, Assam National Institute of Membrane-Based Photobioreactors and Microalgal- Technology Silchar Derived Acid-Base Bifunctional Activated Biochar for CSIR- Central Glass and Enhanced CO₂ Capture and Biofuel Generation: A Ceramic Research Life Cycle Assessment Institute, Kolkata 5. Integrated Biotechnological and Geochemical Assam Indian Institute of Approach for Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Technology , Guwahati Storage (CCUS) and Valorization of Wasted Drill Dibrugarh University, Cuttings using ACT and MICP Assam 6. Biotechnological interventions for revitalizing Sikkim Sikkim State Council of sustainable large Cardamom (Amomum subulatum Science & Technology Roxb.) cultivation Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development, Imphal and other National Institutions *****