State’s first biotech park to be built in Rajasthan

JAIPUR: In order to make Rajasthan a hub for technological research and development, the Government of Rajasthan is planning to build the state’s first biotechnology park and incubation centre. The state government will sign an MoU with the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India for the project. The research and incubation centres is expected to promote research in the field of biotechnology and provide employment to the youth.

Mugdha Sinha, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Government of Rajasthan said that the two institutions will help in promoting interdisciplinary fields such as bio-informatics, biomedical engineering and nanomedicine. She added that the department also plans to support the Nirogi Rajasthan campaign launched recently in the health sector by strengthening it through bio-informatics.

Once the MoU is signed between the State Government and the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, the state will seek the Centre’s help in evolving startup ecosystem in various spheres of biotechnology. Further, efforts will also be made to give recognition to graduates in biotechnology in the recruitment examination of the State Public Service Commission.

In order to plan the entire project and take the opinions of various stakeholders, a State Biotech Cohort Meeting was organised in Jaipur. The meeting was attended by Dr Renu Swarup, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, Vice-Chancellors, deans of various colleges and universities and representatives of biotech startups. According to Dr Swarup, the promotion of biotech will give pace to industrial development and research. She said, “Biotechnology needs to be promoted in view of its utility in every field, including health, agriculture, industry and food.”