biologistics international, llc factors affecting ag-biotechnology transfer to india dr. s....

Biologistics International, LLC

Factors Affecting Ag-Biotechnology Transfer to India

Dr. S. Shantharam

Biotec 2003

Hyderabad, India

September 26, 2003


Ag-Biotech Transfer to India

1. Public Perception and Public Acceptance.2. Regulatory Climate.3. Socio-Economic Benefits.4. Meeting the Needs of Grower and Consumer.


Ag-Biotech Transfer to India

• Ag-Biotechnology in India is in a confused state.• Handicapped at birth.• To face many years of growing pains!• The Government’s biotech policies are unclear at

best and confused at worst!


Ag-Biotechnology Transfer to India

• Biotechnology has arrived in India!!!• The Genie is Out of The Bottle!• There is public excitement about biotechnology because of

“job” promise!?!? Read ….“Hype”• Investment climate is not the best in India for ag-

biotechnology.• Acute shortage of biotech business managers!• Scientists are not market savvy –key to biotech success.



• No indigenous proprietary technology yet!• Cannot foresee in the next ten years.• Mostly imported through MNC partnership.• Integrating GMO traits is itself taking 10 years.• Gestation time is too long and deters investment.• Agricultural biotechnology R&D is expensive.• Local Seed companies do not have the financial

wherewithal to sustain long periods of investment.



• Public understanding is between zero to confusion – thanks to misinformation campaign!

• Indian Ag-Biotech companies response to propaganda is poor.• Local seed companies- but feel it is not their responsibility and

want the product if it is going to make money.• No industry coalition for Public Awareness and Communication

at the grass roots level.• Media are fed only by anti-biotech activists.• Legislature and media not well informed of the issues.



• Central and State Governments have been carried away by hype and most of them are Gung Ho about biotechnology.

• They run for cover when there is a public protest and don’t stand up for what they are excited about.

• A comprehensive biotechnology policy with inputs from all the stakeholders does not exist.

• Too many people with conflict of interest are involved in regulating biotechnology, and therefore are targets of attack.



• What is the biotechnology regulatory policy of India and its States?

• Why there is no environmental risk/impact assessment?• How are rules and regulations framed?• What is cost of current regulatory burden?• Why is there no transparency in a technology that is causing

profound public outcry?• What is the industry doing about it?• Why is not the Government involve all the stakeholders?



• Regulatory clearance is going to cost millions of rupees? But to what end?

• Government and the industry must engage all the stakeholders right now.

• Transparency from all – Government, Industry and the Activists.

• Indian biotech industry must tackle native problems of agriculture because no one else will.



• India must not always depend on imported technologies always.

• India must recognize and respect IPR that fair and equitable.

• Indian farmers must reap economic benefits.• Indian scientific establishment, industry and

Government must engage all the stakeholders throughout.



• India can match the success of IT sector in Biotechnology provided it meets the needs of the number one stakeholder, the farmer and the consumer.

• Indian seed companies must come out of the shadows and take the biotech opponents head on.

• Industry must support risk assessment research.• Biotechnology and GMO stewardship with

growers and public.



• Future of Ag-biotechnology is promising thanks to genomics, proteomics, and bio-informatics!

• Transgenic Pharma Plants technology is getting ready and India should begin its readiness now.

• Industry must become a full partner in evolving science based policies and involve all the stakeholders.

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