The CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu, celebrated World Bioproduct Day on 7 July 2025 with a simple yet impactful event aimed at promoting awareness of bioproducts and their role in sustainable development. The event brought together scientists, students, startups, and key stakeholders to highlight the critical importance of bioproducts in achieving a cleaner, greener, and more economically vibrant future.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM, emphasised the national importance of the BioE3 Policy-Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment. He noted that the policy provides a strategic framework for advancing high-performance biomanufacturing and scaling up bio-based innovations across India. Dr Ahmed highlighted the unique advantage of the Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh region as a biodiversity hotspot-often referred to as the ‘Bio-mass State of India’ due to its rich reservoir of medicinal, aromatic, floral, and microbial biodiversity. “With sub-tropical zones in Jammu, temperate zones in Kashmir, and cold deserts in Ladakh, this region offers immense potential for bio-based innovations,” he said.
A key moment of the event was the BioE3 Pledge, led by Dr Ahmed, where attendees, including scientists, researchers, entrepreneurs, and media representatives, committed to supporting sustainable bioproduct development. Dr Ahmed reaffirmed CSIR-IIIM’s continued support for innovation through its Bio-Incubation Centre, mentorship network, and robust innovation ecosystem. Dr Saurabh Saran, In-Charge, IIIM-Technology Business Incubator (TBI), outlined the vision of the BioE3 policy and CSIR-IIIM’s thematic focus areas, including Aroma Mission, Phytopharmaceuticals, and livelihood-linked innovations. He noted that over 125 startups have been incubated through CSIR-IIIM’s TBI platform, resulting in the development and commercialisation of more than 20 bioproducts.
A major highlight of the day was the launch of a new honey product by CSIR-IIIM incubatee and entrepreneur Mr Aditya Sumbriya, founder of M/s Pahadi Amrit. Sharing his startup’s journey “from the Himalayas to national markets”, Mr Sumbriya showcased how the venture sources honey and natural products from the Himalayan belt while adhering to CSIR-IIIM’s stringent quality and standardisation protocols. Today, Pahadi Amrit distributes its products both across India and internationally.
The event reinforced CSIR-IIIM Jammu’s leadership in the bioproduct domain and its strong commitment to the BioE3 mission, aimed at catalysing economic growth, environmental sustainability, and employment generation through biotechnological innovation. Organised under the patronage of Dr Zabeer Ahmed, the event was held under the overall supervision of Er Abdul Rahim. The inaugural session proceedings were conducted by Dr Saurabh Saran, Principal Scientist, while Dr Suphal B Gupta, Senior Principal Scientist and Nodal, Aroma Mission, delivered the formal vote of thanks. The programme was graced by several students and eminent scientists.
