CHENNAI: The National Biotechnology Development Strategy has been approved by the Government, according to a release.

Announcing this at a conference today, the Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Mr Kapil Sibal, said that recognising that biotechnology is a sunrise sector requiring focused attention, the Government has accorded approval for the broad framework of this strategy and the sectors proposed therein.

The strategy, while enabling full utilisation of currently available opportunities in manufacturing and services, will lay a strong foundation for discovery and innovation, effectively utilising novel technology platforms with potential to contribute to long-term benefits in agriculture, animal productivity, human health, environmental security and sustainable industrial growth.

The strategy is the outcome of a two-year-long nationwide consultation process with multiple stakeholders including Ministries, Universities, research institutes, private sector, civil society, consumer groups, non-Government and voluntary organisations and international bodies.

The draft strategy, which was posted on the Web, received over 300 comments from all sections of the society. The strategy has been finalised after careful scrutiny of these, the release added.

Details of the strategy are available on the Department of Biotechnology's Web site, http://dbtindia.nic.in.