KATHUA: A Gujarat-based media delegation, coordinated locally by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), visited the Industrial Biotech Park (IBTP), Kathua, to gain first-hand insights into biotechnology, startup and agriculture-related initiatives being implemented through the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu.
The visit formed part of the delegation’s ongoing press tour of CSIR-IIIM and its associated facilities, showcasing efforts to take scientific research from laboratories to farmers, startups, industry and society.
The journalists were briefed about the BioNEST Bioincubation Centre and Centre of Excellence at IBTP Kathua, which support technology-based startups and innovators through scientific facilities, mentorship and infrastructure for product development, testing and validation.
Welcoming the delegation, Dr Saurabh Saran, PI, BioNEST IIIM-TBI, highlighted the incubation and entrepreneurship activities being carried out through the institute.
He said that under the leadership of Dr Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM Jammu and CSIR-NBRI Lucknow, the institute was strengthening its innovation ecosystem by providing entrepreneurs access to scientific mentorship, research infrastructure and technical support.
Dr Suphla B. Gupta, Nodal Aroma Mission, briefed the delegation about the Aroma Mission and Floriculture Mission and CSIR-IIIM’s work with farmers in medicinal and aromatic plants.
She said lavender cultivation under the Purple Revolution has expanded to around 1,500 hectares in Jammu and Kashmir, benefiting more than 5,000 farmers.
Dr Gupta said annual lavender oil extraction has crossed 4,000 kg, while revenues generated through the lavender ecosystem have exceeded ₹18 crore.
She also highlighted integrated farming approaches, including the use of beekeeping with aromatic crops to improve pollination and provide farmers an additional source of income.
Dr Amit Nargotra, Scientist-F, briefed the visiting journalists about the scope of Artificial Intelligence-driven innovation in scientific research and technology development.
Earlier, Dr Ajaz Ahmad Mir, CEO, BioNEST Bioincubation Centre, IBTP, gave a presentation on the BioNEST centre and Centre of Excellence at Kathua, highlighting facilities available for entrepreneurs working in biotechnology, agriculture, nutrition and health.
The delegation was informed that the Jammu BioNEST incubator has registered 165 startup companies, with 10 incubatees at the product-development stage and three startups having launched products in the market. More than 1,000 students have also received skill-development training.
The journalists later visited laboratory facilities and the Biofarm at IBTP, where they were shown field-level applications of scientific interventions and efforts to connect laboratory research with agriculture.
The programme concluded with an interaction between the media delegation and CSIR-IIIM scientists and officials, followed by a vote of thanks by Dr Vidushi Abrol, Business Manager, IIIM-TBI.
The document also carries photo panels on pages 3 and 4 showing the delegation touring IBTP facilities, interacting with scientists, visiting laboratories and posing for a group photograph.
