Karnataka will bring out an Ocean Farming Policy: Priyank Kharge

Priyank Kharge, Minister for Information Technology, Biotechnology and Rural Development, has said that the State will bring out an Ocean Farming Policy in the coming months to unlock opportunities in marine and coastal technologies and the blue economy.

He was speaking at the inauguration of Atria Beyonder Labs (ABL) at Atria University, a platform designed to accelerate the translation of academic research into deployable technologies, industry-ready solutions, and scalable start-ups.

The Minister also highlighted that Karnataka had already taken concrete steps in this direction through the launch of the Centre of Excellence in Aquamarine Innovation in Mangaluru.

He said the Centre was envisioned as a collaborative platform for scientists, industry leaders and policymakers to drive economic growth while ensuring the sustainability of Karnataka’s marine ecosystems.

Mr. Kharge added that the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Biotechnology would be a key focus area in the upcoming State Budget.

According to him, the government was revisiting Karnataka’s current data policy with the objective of developing a more sustainable and green data framework.

“We are examining how data infrastructure and the digital ecosystem can become more energy-efficient and more sustainable, and how the entire sector can be accelerated towards responsible, climate-aligned growth,” he said.