Jammu, 01 August (H.S.): : Union Minister and Vice President, CSIR, Dr. Jitendra Singh, on Saturday said that the Industrial Biotech Park (IBP) at Ghatti, Kathua, will emerge as a major hub for biotechnology-driven innovation, startup incubation, research, entrepreneurship and industrial development, creating new opportunities for youth, scientists, farmers and industry across Jammu & Kashmir and North India.
Dr. Jitendra Singh was addressing the gathering as the Chief Guest during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu and the Jammu & Kashmir Science, Technology & Innovation Council (JKST&IC) for the operationalisation and management of the Industrial Biotech Park at Ghatti, Kathua.
Congratulating CSIR-IIIM, the Department of Science and Technology, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, and all stakeholders associated with the initiative, Dr. Jitendra Singh described the project as another milestone in Kathua's development journey.
He said the Biotech Park is not merely an infrastructure project but a platform to generate opportunities for scientists, researchers, startups, entrepreneurs, farmers, industry and the youth.
Highlighting the transformation of India's innovation ecosystem under the leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Dr. Jitendra Singh said the vision of the Government is to create job creators rather than job seekers.
Referring to flagship initiatives such as Startup India, he said India has witnessed an unprecedented startup revolution since 2014, with the number of recognised startups growing from only a few hundred to more than two lakh, reflecting a fundamental shift in the aspirations and entrepreneurial mindset of India's youth.
He said Jammu & Kashmir possesses immense strengths in biodiversity, medicinal and aromatic plants, agriculture, horticulture, floriculture and other bio-resources, which can be transformed into high-value products through scientific research, biotechnology and innovation.
He emphasised that these natural resources represent enormous economic opportunities capable of generating sustainable livelihoods and strengthening the region's bioeconomy.
Describing the Industrial Biotech Park as a transformative initiative, Dr. Jitendra Singh said it will provide a common platform where scientists, researchers, startups, entrepreneurs, industries and farmers can collaborate under one roof.
He stressed that scientific research should not remain confined to laboratories or publications but should be translated into commercially viable technologies, products and enterprises that directly benefit society.
Recalling the success of the CSIR Aroma Mission and the Purple Revolution, Dr. Jitendra Singh said lavender cultivation has transformed the lives of farmers in Jammu & Kashmir by converting traditional agriculture into profitable entrepreneurship.
---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar
