New Delhi, Apr 4 (APAC Media): Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the BIRAC-BioNEST Incubation Centre at the Central Food Technological Research Institute.
This marks a significant step toward strengthening India’s food biotechnology ecosystem.
What is the BioNEST Incubation Centre?
The facility is a state-of-the-art incubation hub designed to support food and biotech startups with advanced infrastructure, research support, and regulatory facilitation. It focuses on transforming scientific ideas into market-ready products, particularly in high-value areas like nutraceuticals, probiotics, precision fermentation, CRISPR technologies, and botanicals.
Why is this initiative important?
As of March 2026, the BioNEST centre has supported 26 startups, which have collectively filed 12 patents and achieved multiple product commercialisations. The initiative reflects a shift toward market-driven innovation in India’s food sector, aligning research with industry needs and consumer demand, especially in ready-to-eat and convenience foods.
How will it impact the food biotech ecosystem?
Dr. Singh emphasized that while launching startups has become easier, sustaining them requires innovation, market access, and industry collaboration. The centre aims to bridge this gap by fostering partnerships between research institutions and private players. The event also featured MoUs, product launches, and exhibitions showcasing CFTRI’s lab-to-market capabilities.
With over 450 technologies transferred to industries and growing global interest, CFTRI is positioning itself as a hub for integrated food innovation—combining research, incubation, and commercialization to drive the next phase of growth in India’s food processing sector.
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