J&K Emerging as Biotechnology and Innovation Hub, Says Dr Jitendra Singh
Kathua: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, Dr. Jitendra Singh on Saturday said Jammu and Kashmir is rapidly emerging as a major biotechnology and innovation destination, with the operationalisation of the Industrial Biotech Park at Ghatti in Kathua set to accelerate startup growth, entrepreneurship and scientific research in the region.
Addressing a function in Kathua, the Union Minister said the Startup revolution has firmly taken root in Jammu and Kashmir, citing the success of enterprises developed under the Aroma Mission, which have evolved into nationally recognised entrepreneurial models.
He said the government's objective is to create an enabling ecosystem where innovation drives employment generation, economic growth and sustainable development.
Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, Dr. Jitendra Singh said flagship initiatives such as Startup India, Make in India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat have laid the foundation for India to emerge as a global leader in science, technology and biotechnology.
The Minister said the Industrial Biotech Park will function as a centre for innovation and incubation, offering world-class infrastructure to agri-entrepreneurs, startups, scientists, researchers, students and progressive farmers from Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.
Highlighting the significance of the project, he said the facility will promote research on the medicinal and aromatic plants of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh while encouraging environmentally sustainable, green-category industries.
Dr. Jitendra Singh noted that the Biotech Park is North India's first Industrial Biotech Park and is equipped with advanced infrastructure, including herbal extraction and fermentation units, analytical laboratories, distillation facilities, micro-propagation and plant tissue culture laboratories. In addition to supporting technology incubation, the park will offer training and skill development programmes to create a skilled biotechnology workforce.
He also informed that the park already houses a BIRAC BioNEST Incubator, which is currently supporting 15 startups, while the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu is conducting job-oriented skill development programmes to prepare young professionals and entrepreneurs for careers in biotechnology.
On the occasion, the Jammu and Kashmir Science, Technology and Innovation Council (JKST&IC) and CSIR-IIIM Jammu signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the operationalisation of the Industrial Biotech Park at Ghatti. Under the agreement, the Industrial Biotechnology Parks Society and JKST&IC will provide ₹15 crore over three years to CSIR-IIIM for implementation of the project.
As part of the agreement, CSIR-IIIM Jammu will serve as the Project Management Unit (PMU), providing scientific, technical, operational and administrative support for managing the Biotech Park. The institute will oversee planning, execution, monitoring, scientific infrastructure, incubation programmes, innovation initiatives and capacity-building activities.
Dr. Jitendra Singh expressed confidence that the partnership would significantly strengthen biotechnology research and innovation in Jammu and Kashmir, promote technology transfer, create new opportunities for startups and entrepreneurs, and establish the Industrial Biotech Park at Ghatti as a premier centre for biotechnology-led industrial and scientific development.
Earlier, CSIR-IIIM Director Dr. Zabeer Ahmed briefed the gathering on the progress made in establishing the Biotech Park and outlined future plans for the high-end facility. He described the MoU as a major milestone in promoting biotechnology innovation and entrepreneurship in the region and thanked Dr. Jitendra Singh for his continued guidance and support in strengthening scientific institutions and fostering biotechnology-based growth in Jammu and Kashmir.
The event was attended by MLA Rajiv Jasrotia, Commissioner/Secretary Science and Technology Department Babila Rakwal, Deputy Commissioner Kathua Rajesh Sharma, Government Medical College Kathua Principal Dr. Surinder Kumar Atri, District President Updesh Andotra, Raghunandan Singh, Prem Nath Dogra, Rabinder Sharma, senior officials, scientists, researchers, entrepreneurs, students and members of civil society.
