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Tuesday / April 15. 2025

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HomePosts Tagged "Jammu"
Agbiologicals, Agro Universities, India, R&D

The focus of the collaboration would be on formulating a biopesticide derived from a potent indigenous microbial strain identified by CSIR-IIIM.

In a significant step toward fostering industry-academia collaboration, the CSIR – Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with M/S HAPICO Industries Private Limited to jointly develop novel biopesticides.

The MoU was formally signed by Dr Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM, and Mr. Shabeer Ahmed, Managing Director, HAPICO Industries, in the presence of Dr Asha Chaubey, Senior Principal Scientist & Head, FMB Division; Dr Saurabh Saran, Principal Scientist, FMB; and Dr Love Sharma, Scientist, RMBD&IST.

This strategic partnership aims to address the detrimental impact of chemical pesticides on human health and the environment. Given the rich biodiversity of medicinal and aromatic plants, the collaboration seeks to harness their potential for developing innovative and sustainable biopesticide solutions.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Zabeer Ahmed reaffirmed the commitment of CSIR-IIIM to the translational and sustainable approach in biopesticide development and providing industrial interface to the technologies emanating from the collaboration, ensuring direct benefits for farmers across the country. He also expressed confidence in achieving the project objectives within the stipulated timeline. CSIR-IIIM, with its advanced fermentation and microbial technology infrastructure, has been actively engaged in research pursuits and development of agricultural solutions, including plant growth-promoting products, Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), enzymes and biocontrol formulations.

Shabeer Ahmed, Managing Director, HAPICO Industries, highlighted the collaboration as a strategic initiative to expand the company’s product portfolio and contribute to sectoral growth. “By leveraging CSIR-IIIM’s scientific expertise, HAPICO aims to develop innovative, sustainable solutions that align with the evolving market demands,” he stated.

Elaborating on the technical aspects, Dr Asha Chaubey, Head, FMB Division, emphasized that the focus of the collaboration would be on formulating a biopesticide derived from a potent indigenous microbial strain identified by CSIR-IIIM.

The agreement signing ceremony was jointly organized by the RMBD&IST and FMB Divisions, under the overall supervision of Er Abdul Rahim, Head, RMBD&IST Division, and under the patronage of the Director, CSIR-IIIM, Jammu.

The focus of the collaboration would be

AgroPolicy, Floriculture, Sustainability

Kishtwar saffron comes from the scenic Kishtwar region, nestled in the mountainous landscapes of Jammu, and is referred to locally as ‘Kung’ and nationally as ‘Kesar.’

Kashmir’s Kishtwar saffron has recently been awarded a GI tag for its exceptional quality. Saffron is considered one of the most expensive spices in the world, with hand-collected strands from crocus flowers costing lakhs per kilogram. Kashmir produces some of the most expensive and highest-quality saffron, and Kishtwar Saffron, from the Kishtwar Region of Jammu and Kashmir, has recently been awarded the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the Geographical Indications Registry according to the local news.

A GI tag is an indication of quality that acts as a mark of intellectual property and confirms that the product originates from a specific geographical region and has unique and valuable characteristics due to its place of origin. Kishtwar saffron comes from the scenic Kishtwar region, nestled in the mountainous landscapes of Jammu, and is referred to locally as ‘Kung’ and nationally as ‘Kesar.’ This spice holds pivotal economic importance in this secluded district, with Mandal, the saffron production area, encompassing around 120 hectares of cultivable land, establishing Kishtwar as a significant hub for saffron cultivation.

Kishtwar saffron has not only won the GI tag but also a Grade 1 quality rating. To achieve this rating, 1150 grams of saffron flowers harvested from Berwar underwent a thorough physical and chemical analysis at the India International Kashmir Saffron Trading Centre (IIKSTC) in Dussu Pampore. As a result of this process, 110 grams of fresh saffron filaments and 20 grams of top-tier dry Lacha saffron were extracted and subsequently designated as Grade 1.

Kishtwar saffron comes from the scenic Kishtwar

AgroPolicy, R&D, Start ups

The biotech park will act as a hub for incubation of new ideas and will support the agri-entrepreneurs, startups, progressive farmers etc

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Science and Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Earth Science; MoS of Prime Minister’s Office and Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh recently inaugurated the Industrial Biotech Park Ghatti, Kathua, Jammu.

Dr Singh said that that the bbiotech park would act as hub for incubation of new ideas and will act as a robust platform to support the agri-entrepreneurs, startups, progressive farmers, scientists, scholars and students not only from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh but also from nearby States of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. 

Dr Singh added that the biotechnology park at Kathua has a potential to produce 25 startups in a year which will be among its great contributions to this region. The biotech park will carry out research on biodiversity, medicinal and aromatic plants of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh and will also promote green category businesses. 

The biotech park will act as a