In a significant step towards strengthening India’s aromatic crop value chain and promoting botanical wellness products, the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu, on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ambrosia Botanicals, a Gurugram-based luxury botanical wellness company. The collaboration aims to create a robust framework for research, quality standardization, value addition and market development of aromatic crops and essential oils, while opening new commercial opportunities for farmers, entrepreneurs and industry stakeholders associated with the sector.

The MoU was formally signed by Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM, and Pratiba S. Kedia, Founder and Chief Formulator, Ambrosia Botanicals. Under the agreement, the two organisations will work together on collaborative and sponsored research projects, scientific validation of botanical products and formulations, exchange of technical expertise, and development of value-added products derived from aromatic crops. The partnership will also focus on strengthening the objectives of CSIR’s Aroma Mission by enhancing market linkages and improving the commercial utilization of aromatic produce.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Zabeer Ahmed said the partnership reflects the institute’s continued commitment to translating scientific research into market-driven solutions that benefit farmers, industry and consumers alike. “CSIR-IIIM has been at the forefront of promoting aromatic crops and essential oil-based enterprises through the Aroma Mission. This collaboration will help bridge the gap between scientific innovation and market requirements. By combining our research expertise with industry insights, we aim to develop high-quality, value-added botanical products, strengthen quality standards and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for growers associated with aromatic crops,” Dr. Ahmed said. He further noted that the collaboration would contribute to expanding the reach of Indian aromatic products in domestic and international markets while encouraging innovation in the botanical wellness sector.

As per the MoU, CSIR-IIIM will provide scientific and technical support for evaluation, optimization and validation of products and formulations. The institute will also undertake analytical, quality, safety and stability assessments wherever required and feasible. Subject to resource availability, the institute may also facilitate the development and supply of botanical materials, extracts and other natural products for collaborative research activities. Ambrosia Botanicals, on the other hand, will contribute market intelligence, product concepts, formulation inputs and commercialization strategies. The company will identify emerging market opportunities and facilitate licensing and commercialization of products developed through the collaboration, as per mutually agreed project-specific arrangements.

The MoU also provides for joint research projects, exchange of scientific personnel and technical information, capacity-building programmes, technology dissemination activities and development of annual work plans to identify priority areas of cooperation. The MoU will remain in force for a period of five years and may be renewed by mutual consent. Among those present during the signing ceremony were Dr. Tasduq Abdullah, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-IIIM; Dr. Suphla B. Gupta Scientist-F, Plant Sciences and Agrotechnology Division (PSA), CSIR-IIIM; Dr. Saurabh Saran, Scientist-F, Fermentation and Microbial Biotechnology Division and Principal Investigator, IIIM-Technology Business Incubator, Dr. Mir Asrar, Scientist, CSIR-IIIM and Sandeep Kedia, Business Development, Ambrosia Botanicals.