OMBRIC launched to position Odisha as a leader in blue economy: CM Majhi
Bhubaneswar, Aug 12 (UNI) Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today launched the Odisha Marine Biotechnology Research & Innovation Corridor (OMBRIC), a dedicated platform for young entrepreneurs to establish marine biotechnology startups rooted in local resources while meeting global standards.
He said, “OMBRIC has the potential to transform the state’s blue economy and significantly contribute to India’s economic growth.”
On the occasion, an MoU was signed between the Odisha government’s science & technology department and the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India.
According to the Chief Minister, the initiative has immense potential to contribute to environmental protection, science-based tourism, investment, employment generation, and livelihood support for coastal communities.
Six higher education institutions in Odisha also inked MoUs with the state government to provide research and development support for OMBRIC.
Speaking at the launch, Majhi described the platform as “a beacon of hope for the scientific community and innovators, not only in Odisha but for the nation and the world.”
Aligning with the Viksit Odisha 2036 and Viksit India 2047 visions, Majhi emphasised that OMBRIC is designed not merely as a research programme but as a launchpad for marine biotech startups. “OMBRIC connects the lab to the land and research to real-world impact,” he said.
From gene discovery to bioactive molecule extraction, and from bioremediation to nutraceutical development, the initiative spans the entire pipeline of marine biotechnology innovation — culminating in job creation, environmental sustainability, and economic growth.
State Science and Technology Minister Krushna Chandra Patra said, “Odisha holds tremendous potential in marine biotechnology and will make all efforts to develop the sector as a driver of economic growth.”
The Odisha Science & Technology Department conceptualised OMBRIC, recognising the immense potential of the state’s 574-km-long coastline, rich in unexplored marine bioresources. The initiative aims to position Odisha as a global leader in marine biotechnology and blue economy development.
To ensure targeted and high-impact implementation, six premier institutions in Odisha have been selected as OMBRIC hubs based on scientific expertise and regional relevance:
– IIT Bhubaneswar: Mapping and monitoring coastal marine bioresources using satellite imagery, GIS, remote sensing, drone surveys, and assessing coastal ecosystem health, alongside capacity building.
– NIT Rourkela: Cultivating unculturable marine microorganisms and extracting novel bioactive compounds (enzymes, pigments, antibiotics) for pharmaceutical and industrial use.
– IISER Berhampur: Discovering novel genes, characterising marine bioactive compounds, and scaling up high-value marine products through chemical engineering.
– ILS Bhubaneswar: Establishing a Marine Microbial Biorepository, publishing the Odisha Marine Bio Resource Atlas with genetic data, and promoting innovation and startups in blue technology.
– Berhampur University: Conducting marine biodiversity mapping and metabolite characterisation of algae, seaweeds, fish, and other marine fauna.
– Fakir Mohan University: Developing scalable breeding technology for Indian horseshoe crabs and translational applications for extracted bioactive compounds.
OMBRIC’s “lab-to-market” approach aims to translate research into tangible economic outcomes through intellectual property generation, incubation support, and entrepreneurial mentoring—fostering a sustainable ecosystem for marine biotech enterprises.
The initiative also prioritises community engagement, aiming to involve coastal populations through training, education, and participatory conservation, thereby promoting marine stewardship while enhancing local livelihoods and social equity.
