The CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu, kicked off its “One Week, One Theme” (OWOT) program under the Agri-Nutri Biotech (ANB) theme, aiming to advance aromatic and floriculture crop development across India. The event seeks to catalyze partnerships, promote technology transfer, and inspire new ventures in the sector.Dr. Prabodh Kumar Trivedi, Theme Director (ANB) and Director, CSIR-CIMAP Lucknow, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, while Dr. Sudesh Kumar Yadav, Director, CSIR-IHBT, Palampur, was the Guest of Honor. The two-day event, which concludes on November 7, began with the symbolic planting of saplings, led by the dignitaries and Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director of CSIR-IIIM, in support of the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative by the Government of India.

Dr. Trivedi emphasized the transformative role of innovation in uplifting rural communities, pointing out the economic potential of value-added crops like lavender. He stressed the impact of ANB projects in driving agricultural advancements. Meanwhile, Dr. Yadav highlighted the benefits of the Purple and Golden Revolutions for the bio-economy of the Himalayan region, underscoring the event’s importance as a hub for knowledge exchange and collaboration.The inauguration included a startup exhibition featuring entrepreneurs from across India, showcasing innovative agri-tech and biotech solutions. Over 50 farmers from Jammu and Kashmir engaged with live demonstrations, such as a mini-distillation unit for aromatic crops, and participated in hands-on sessions and a multimedia presentation detailing CSIR-IIIM’s technological contributions.A key highlight was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between CSIR-IIIM and M/s Krishan Gopal of Vishvaksenah Herbs & Aromatics Pvt. Ltd. to co-develop products under the ANB theme. The collaboration exemplifies the institute’s commitment to translating research into tangible solutions for both industry and society.Three technical sessions throughout the day featured expert panels and brainstorming discussions, with a special focus on aroma value addition and training programs for women’s self-help groups. The sessions spotlighted success stories from the Aroma, Floriculture, and Nutraceutical Missions, with lively discussions on lavender cultivation drawing strong interest from local entrepreneurs.
The OWOT program reflects CSIR-IIIM’s mission to bridge research and industry, fostering aroma-based entrepreneurship to drive economic growth in rural areas. Industry stakeholders, including M/s JK Aroma, M/s Himalayan Essential Oil Products, and several others, showcased innovative products developed under the Agri-Nutri Biotech theme.

A focused panel discussion addressed the challenges facing farmers, featuring experts like Ms. Ruchita Rane from Policy Advocacy Research Centre, Mumbai, and Ms. Rakhee Bakshee, Founder Editor of Her World India. Additionally, an afternoon training session on making incense and aroma candles was launched for women and self-help groups.The event, organized under the guidance of Dr. Zabeer Ahmed and coordinated by Dr. Suphla Gupta, involved contributions from several department heads and committee members, reinforcing CSIR-IIIM’s dedication to agricultural and environmental advancement.