Page 138 - CW E-Magazine (25-2-2025)

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AIDING RESEARCH & GROWTH

Incubation & Innovation Complex inaugurated

at CSIR-NEIST, Jorhat

Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister incubation facilities for up to two The NEAC 2025, which was
of State (Independent Charge) years, allowing them to refine pro- held in collaboration with Fragrance &
for Science and Technology, inaugu- duction and marketing strategies Flavour Development Centre
rated the Incubation & Innova- before launching their independent (FFDC), Kannauj, UP, aimed to foster
tion Complex of NEIST (IICON) ventures. innovation, business development,
during the ‘North East Aroma Con- and enhanced linkages among farmers,
clave’ (NEAC), 2025 held recently Through the government’s Aroma entrepreneurs, and stakeholders in
at CSIR-North East Institute of Science Mission and Floriculture Mission, the aromatic crops industry, with a
and Technology (NEIST), Jorhat, CSIR-NEIST has successfully intro- vision to position Northeast India as
Assam. duced aromatic crops like citronella, a key player in the global aromatics
lemongrass, patchouli, and chamo- sector.
IICON was commissioned under mile across more than 5,000 hectares
the aegis of the ‘Science & Techno- in the North East, benefiting over In her address, Dr. N.Kalaiselvi,
logical Intervention for North East 10,000 farmers. Additionally, the Director General, CSIR,& Secretary,
India (STINER)’project conceived institute has established 39 essential DSIR, stressed the transformative

by Ministry of Development of oil distillation units and plans to potential of research and innovation in
North Eastern Region (MDoNER), distribute 1-lakh agarwood saplings the aroma industry. Dr.V.M. Tiwari,
executed by CSIR-NEIST. in the coming year. Director, CSIR-NEIST, underscored
the signifi cance of the aroma industry
Dr. Singh referred to IICON as ‘Aroma Mission picking up pace in in Assam as a pathway to sustainable
a “one-stop solution” for entrepre- the Northeast’ economic development for the region.
neurs, farmers, and artisans. The Dr. Singh said the Aroma
state-of-the-art facility offers 27 Mission, which found success in J&K, The event witnessed the distri-
advanced technologies to support is now picking up pace in the North- bution of agreements to 25 startups,
startups and MSMEs, fostering in- east. The region has abundant natural entrepreneurs, NGOs, and self-help
novation and skill development resources, which have in the past groups, empowering them to utilise
while reducing business risks. remained unexplored, but can be a vital the advanced facilities at IICON and
Selected entrepreneurs and self-help value addition to India’s economy, he contribute to the region’s economic
groups will have access to the said. growth and innovation.

138 Chemical Weekly February 25, 2025

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