CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM) Jammu, and M/s HAPICO Industries Private Limited, IGC, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on products testing/quality control, quality assurance, and the joint development of novel healthcare and nutraceutical products.According to a CSIR-IIIM spokesperson, this collaboration aims to leverage CSIR-IIIM’s expertise in quality control and quality assurance and HAPICO’s proficiency in the development of agri and nutraceutical products. Farmers in the local region of UT of J&K may also benefit from this collaboration, as it will contribute to the growing agri-economy of the UT.

During the MoU signing event, Dr Zabeer Ahmed, Director of CSIR-IIIM, expressed keenness about the new partnership with HAPICO. “This collaboration perfectly aligns with CSIR-IIIM’s mission to translate scientific discoveries into practical applications,” he remarked, adding: “By leveraging HAPICO’s industry expertise, we aim to harness the full potential of our resources, fostering both economic growth and environmental sustainability.” He further emphasized that this innovative partnership will significantly benefit local farmers by empowering them to enhance the value of their crops, develop new products, and access larger markets.HAPICO, recognized for its pioneering efforts in the industry, views this collaboration as a strategic step towards expanding its product portfolio and accelerating growth in the sector. “With the scientific expertise of CSIR-IIIM, HAPICO is positioned to create innovative and sustainable solutions that cater to the evolving needs of the market,” said Shabir Ahmed, Managing Director of HAPICO.

The signing ceremony was attended by key officials and researchers from both organizations, underscoring their mutual commitment to fostering scientific collaboration and driving innovation in the aromatic industry. The event was organized by the CSIR-IIIM Aroma Mission Team, under the supervision of Er Abdul Rahim, Chief Scientist & Head, RMBD&IST, and BDG, and Nodal Scientist, and Dr Love Sharma, along with Er Ankush Varma, Coordinator, IIIM-TBI.