Kathua (Jammu & Kashmir): Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh attended the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the CSIR–Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM) and the Jammu & Kashmir Science, Technology & Innovation Council (JKST&IC) for the operationalisation of the Industrial Biotech Park at Ghatti, Kathua.
Describing the initiative as a landmark step for the region, Dr. Jitendra Singh said the operationalisation of the biotech park would significantly strengthen the biotechnology ecosystem in Jammu & Kashmir by promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, research and startup development.
The Minister highlighted that the Kathua Industrial Biotech Park, established as North India’s first Industrial Biotech Park, has already emerged as a hub for biotechnology innovation and entrepreneurship.
He informed that the park currently houses a BIRAC BioNEST Incubator, which is supporting 15 biotechnology startups by providing incubation facilities, mentoring and technical assistance. In addition, CSIR-IIIM is conducting job-oriented skill development programmes to equip young entrepreneurs, researchers and professionals with the expertise required in the rapidly growing biotechnology sector.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said that Jammu & Kashmir is steadily emerging as a major biotechnology and innovation destination, and the operationalisation of the Kathua Biotech Park will provide a major impetus to startups, entrepreneurship, scientific research and industrial growth in the Union Territory.
Recalling the success of the Purple Revolution, driven by lavender cultivation under the CSIR Aroma Mission, the Minister said the initiative has transformed the region’s agricultural landscape and brought national recognition to Jammu & Kashmir.
He noted that the Purple Revolution, which originated in the region, has become a defining symbol of Jammu & Kashmir’s success in innovation-led rural development. The initiative has received appreciation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his “Mann Ki Baat” programme, while the Aroma Mission was also showcased through a tableau during the Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path.
The Minister further said that the Kathua Biotech Park is designed to promote the cultivation, processing and commercialisation of medicinal and aromatic plants found in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, while encouraging the establishment of green-category industries and environmentally sustainable enterprises.
He highlighted that the park has been equipped with advanced biotechnology infrastructure, including facilities for herbal extraction, fermentation, distillation, tissue culture, analytical testing and commercial technology transfer, enabling researchers, startups and industries to convert scientific innovations into market-ready products.
Dr. Jitendra Singh expressed confidence that the collaboration between CSIR-IIIM and JKST&IC would accelerate biotechnology-based industrial development, generate employment opportunities for local youth, promote sustainable economic growth and position Jammu & Kashmir as an emerging centre of excellence in biotechnology and innovation.