INDIAN STATE : GUJARAT

Biotechnology

Introduction

Biotechnology is defined as a set of techniques for industrial exploitation of biological systems or processes. It encompasses any technique that uses living organisms to make or modify products, to improve plants or animals or to develop microorganisms for specific uses and involves applying molecular and cellular biology, plant, animal and human genetics and immunology in order to create new products. Conventional techniques of producing biotechnology products, using traditional microbiological fermentation, have evolved, with the development of modern technologies. Modern biotechnology entails use of cell fusion techniques, bio-informatics (use of information technology for documenting bio-diversity and study DNA structures), genetic engineering, structure based molecular design and recombinant DNA technology (insertion of foreign gene) and hybridoma technology (fusing and multiplying cells). Biotechnology has transformed many parts of the chemical industry, agriculture, and medicine.

After becoming an IT bellwether, India is now shifting its focus to the next promising industry, biotechnology. Numerous companies have sprung up to take a piece of the exponentially growing biotech market. The ever-decreasing physical boundaries enable biotech companies to tap large markets around the world. India to this extent holds a good advantage over other countries.

The Biotech Industry is progressing at a rapid growth rate of nearly 40 per cent, with an annual turnover of US$ 1.07 Billion in 2005. It is estimated that the consumption of biotech products in India could grow to the tune of US$ 4270 million by the year 2010. Today, the Indian biotech sector stands fourth in terms of volume and thirteenth in terms of value.

Biotechnology in Gujarat

Gujarat's thriving Pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors are driving its biotech industry, which already has a strong foundation in the state and is well supported by academic and research institutes. Further, specialized biotech park, skilled workforce, government support and ethnic diversity provide the investor with the ideal platform for clinical and contract research, application in agriculture, food and marine technology.

The state government of Gujarat, in its resolve and continued efforts for socio-economic upliftment of the society, has identified biotechnology as single most potential tool of development. The state intends to promote biotechnology sector by building appropriate image, encouraging entrepreneurship, strengthening organizational colorations and forecasting business partnerships. For facilitating the development of biotechnology in the State, Government of Gujarat has constituted Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission, under the aegis of Department of Science and Technology.

Agriculture Biotechnology

The agricultural biotechnology industry is gaining importance in Gujarat due to its sizeable agrarian economy, which contributes significantly to the country's GDP. A higher percentage of the agricultural land is used for cultivation in the Central Gujarat. While, Valsad has become India's first integrated horticulture district, Kaira, Baroda, Bharuch and Surat districts are the main contributors to the agricultural production of the State.

Stakeholders representing industry, NGOs, Government PSUs and Government laboratories, have played a significant role in the growth of the agri-biotech segment in Gujarat. The corporate scene has presence of players both of national and international origin, the value chain focus being manufacture of bio-agri inputs. In terms of R&D activity, ICAR funded labs namely NRCMAP and NRCG have created valuable knowledge repositories in terms of the research projects undertaken by the scientists and well-trained researchers at these labs.

The State was amongst the first ones to allow field trials of Bt cotton in the country. With the growing R&D spend of the global agri-biotech companies and enhanced clarity on the IPR issues, the country at large and Gujarat in particular, can leverage the diverse agro climatic topography to play a significant role in the agri-biotech scene. The agricultural biotechnology industry is gaining importance in Gujarat due to its sizeable.

The major thrust areas of the corporate players in Gujarat agri-biotech industry include tissue culture, bio-fertilizers and bio- pesticides.

Food Biotechnology and Nutraceuticals

Food biotechnology refers to the use of biotechnology to enhance the production, nutritional value, safety, and taste of edible products. It is being recognized that genetic modification is indeed a more efficient and precise way to achieve the benefits of food improvement. Often referred to as phytochemicals, the nutraceuticals and natural extract market includes nutritional supplements, functional foods, natural products and herbs. Together they constitute the "Wellness Industry". Functional foods and vitamins, minerals and supplements (VMS) sub segments constitute the key focus areas.

The State's enormous success in the dairy industry is exemplified by the presence of one of the country's premier food company viz. AMUL. The Company has been a role model for the cooperative sector in India. With its constant zest for innovation, the Company has the widest range of dairy based food products. It has a strong R&D team backed by a competitive marketing and branding team. Vadilal, an established brand in the processed food segment processes and markets a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and ready-to-serve Indian Foods. Over the last decade the Company has acquired a prominent position in India and established itself as one of India's leading manufacturers / exporters in this sector.

Gujarat also has a large unorganized natural extracts and nutraceuticals segment base, constituting several small-scale manufacturers and trading outfits. These companies are engaged in producing herb-based dyes, cosmetics, spices and other consumables.

The State has about 240 ayurved pharmaceutical companies of which about 29 have GMP certified facilities. Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Valsad, Surat, Rajkot and Mehsana have a significant presence of natural extract based industry. Companies such as Unique Pharmaceuticals, JB Chemical, Cadila Pharmaceuticals, Paras Pharmaceuticals and Vasu Pharmaceuticals, which are based in Gujarat, have international linkages in terms of import and export of natural extract products.

Marine Biotechnology

Marine biotechnology is the discovery and application of products and processes derived from marine organisms. It finds wide range of applications in various industries to develop new class of pharmaceuticals, industrial products and processes, vaccines, diagnostics and analytical reagents. It provides new tools and approaches to understand the ecological relationships among marine organisms farmer community in particular and the society at large.

Gujarat has1600 km long coastline considered the longest in the country, which includes two gulf areas Gulf of Kachchh and Gulf of Khambat. Given the longest coastline and the rich marine resources it preserves, the Government of Gujarat is focusing on developing marine biotechnology as a fore area of the biotech sector in the State. Gujarat is India's first State to establish a Marine National Park located 30 kms from Jamnagar in the Gulf of Kachchh region.

Industrial Biotechnology

Gujarat has developed strengths in the industrial enzymes segment over the years. This segment is dominated by entrepreneur led organizations, which initially started as conservative fermentation based outfits and have today evolved as preferred vendors/service providers for multinational companies. The State has been able to leverage its manufacturing strengths in the industrial biotech segment.