Union Minister Jitendra Singh envisions a transformative role for marine science and biotechnology in fortifying India’s economy, environment, and employment landscape. His recent keynote underscored the strategic imperative of leveraging ocean resources for national advancement.
Boasting the 18th largest EEZ globally, India can tap into polymetallic nodules worth trillions. Biotech innovations—from sponge-derived anticancer compounds to jellyfish collagen for medicine—offer high-value exports. Singh revealed plans for 100 marine biotech parks nationwide.
The Sagarmala program’s biotech integration targets doubling fish production to 22 million tonnes by 2025, creating rural jobs and nutrition security. Advanced tools like CRISPR for resilient corals and AI-monitored fisheries will minimize bycatch and enhance sustainability.
Environmentally, initiatives like offshore wind-biotech hybrids and seagrass carbon sequestration align with net-zero goals. Singh highlighted success stories: Tamil Nadu’s seaweed clusters now employ 50,000, generating Rs 500 crore yearly.
To surmount barriers like funding shortages, the minister proposed a Blue Economy Fund and international R&D alliances. Academia-industry linkages via IITs and CSIR labs will incubate startups, fostering innovation ecosystems.
Projections are rosy: blue GDP contribution rising from 4% to 8% by 2030, with 12 million green jobs. Coastal states stand to gain immensely, bridging urban-rural divides. Singh’s clarion call resonates: ‘Our oceans demand respect and reward responsibility.’ India’s blue revolution is underway, charting a course to self-reliance and global stature.