Union Minister inaugurates biomanufacturing institute

Union Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh inaugurated BRIC-National Agri-Food and Biomanufacturing Institute (BRIC-NABI) and BIRAC BioNEST BRIC-NABI Incubation Centre in Mohali today.

BRIC-NABI, funded by the Department of Biotechnology, plans to partner with national and international organisations, industries and startups to accelerate technology transfer, commercialisation and outreach.

Through innovative research, human resource development, and active engagement with startups, the institute will act as a bridge to bring agri-food technologies to the Indian market.

Jitendra Singh highlighted that BRIC-NABI is an important initiative of the government in the biomanufacturing sector. Globally, biomanufacturing plays a critical role in developed regions like North America and Europe, especially post-pandemic economies. However, India has limited biomanufacturing facilities, most of which are privately funded.

To complement the “Make in India” initiative, there is an urgent need for institutional-level biomanufacturing infrastructure. BRIC-NABI aims to fill this gap by supporting startups and facilitating large-scale production to aid the “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) initiative.

The institute will thus contribute to India’s efforts toward self-reliance and sustainable economic growth in the agri-food sector and allied areas.

Prof Ashwani Pareek, Executive Director, mentioned that this BRIC-NABI biomanufacturing campus will enhance agricultural productivity through innovations leading to higher yields, better disease resistance and improved nutritional content. Biomanufacturing technologies will also support the production of biofertilisers, biopesticides and processed food ingredients, driving sustainability and efficiency in the agriculture sector.

The new institute aligns with the government’s “Doubling Farmers’ Income” initiative by developing value-added products from agricultural waste, creating new revenue streams for farmers, and generating employment opportunities through industrial collaboration.