Odisha Cabinet Approves Rs 1,113 Crore Biotech Scheme Aimed At Making The State A Bio-Economy Hub

The Odisha state cabinet approved a new flagship scheme, Development of Biotechnology, on Friday (6 June), The New Indian Express reported.

The scheme has a budget allocation of Rs 1,113.5 crore over five years starting 2025-26.

The scheme aims to build advanced infrastructure to support product and service development, positioning Odisha as a knowledge-driven bio-economy hub.

Sanctioned in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the scheme will focus on fostering strong industry-academia partnerships.

It targets the application of biotechnology across critical sectors such as agriculture, medicine, and the environment.

Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja said the initiative complements the Odisha Biotechnology Policy-2024 and includes 17 sub-schemes. 

These will promote higher education, research, and infrastructure development in promising biotech fields.

The plan aims to create a supportive ecosystem based on the 5Is: Innovation, Incubation, Investment, Income, and Impact, to foster enterprise and industrial growth.

The scheme will also focus on realigning academic excellence, skill development, and capacity building to meet industry demands. 

Additionally, it will encourage product and process innovation, commercialisation, and monetisation of intellectual property.

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