Jammu, March 20: In a significant step towards strengthening industry-academia collaboration, the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HAPICO Industries Private Limited to jointly develop innovative biopesticides.
The MoU was formally signed by Dr Zabeer Ahmed, Director of CSIR-IIIM, and Shabeer Ahmed, Managing Director of HAPICO Industries, in the presence of senior scientists, including Dr Asha Chaubey, Dr Saurabh Saran and Dr Love Sharma. This strategic partnership aims to address the adverse effects of chemical pesticides on human health and the environment by leveraging the rich biodiversity of medicinal and aromatic plants to develop sustainable biopesticide solutions.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Zabeer Ahmed reaffirmed CSIR-IIIM’s commitment to translational research and sustainable innovation in biopesticide development. He emphasised the institute’s dedication to fostering an industrial interface that ensures technological advancements directly benefit farmers across the country. CSIR-IIIM, equipped with cutting-edge fermentation and microbial technology infrastructure, has been at the forefront of research in agricultural solutions, including plant growth-promoting products and biocontrol formulations. Shabeer Ahmed, Managing Director of HAPICO Industries, described the collaboration as a strategic move to expand the company’s product portfolio while contributing to the growth of the agricultural sector. “By leveraging CSIR-IIIM’s scientific expertise, HAPICO aims to develop innovative, sustainable solutions that align with evolving market demands,” he said.
Dr Asha Chaubey, Head of the FMB Division, highlighted the technical aspects of the collaboration, noting that the focus would be on formulating a biopesticide derived from a potent indigenous microbial strain identified by CSIR-IIIM. The agreement signing ceremony was jointly organised by the RMBD&IST and FMB Divisions, under the overall supervision of Er Abdul Rahim, Head of the RMBD&IST Division, and under the patronage of the Director of CSIR-IIIM, Jammu.
