Overview

Biotechnology has been acknowledged globally as an economy leveler and as tool for socio-economic development. Invention and production of new diagnostic tools, prevention based health-care, personalized medical treatments, genetic medicines and genetic testing, are few of the Biotechnology application in post genomic era. High yielding, genetically modified crops, nutritionally enriched foods, are other potential application of Biotechnology. Reduction in raw material and energy consumption, less pollution, recyclable and biodegradable waste, cleaner industrial processes, are few of the potential application of Biotechnology in Industrial sector. Bio-remediation and non-polluting technologies are some of the potential applications in the field of Environment sector.

The recent past has witnessed a revolution called Biotechnology. India is looking very seriously to this global buzz word and so is Gujarat.

At the national level, Biotechnology has shown remarkable growth. Total BT revenue generation is to the tune of around 10, 274 crores, with growth of 20%, in terms of revenue generation, as compared to 2006-07. The compound annual growth in last five years is highest in BioServices (63%) as compared to BioAgri (61%), BioPharma (31%), Bioinformatics (20%) and BioIndustrial (12%). The biotech companies in the Western Cluster, comprising the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa, generated Rs 4,452.37 crore in revenues. The West biocluster led the market in terms of revenues generated by the companies in its region. Out of the total revenues of Rs 10,274 crore generated by the biotech companies in India in 2007-08, the West's share was 43.3 percent with Maharashtra and Gujarat as major contributor (BioSpectrum 2008).

Driven by new enterprise and innovation in recent years, the Biotechnology industries in Gujarat are witnessing accelerated growth. The strong established base of traditional industries – Pharmaceutical, Chemicals, food, beverages etc, has provided ideal environment and tremendous opportunities for Gujarat to foray into Biotechnology field. The convergence of traditional industries towards Biotechnology, has witnessed significant growth and expansion of Biotechnology industries and market in Gujarat.