Industry Meet and Start-up Conclave 2026 Organised at ICAR-DMAPR, Anand, Gujarat

24 March 2026, Gujarat

ICAR-Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research, Anand, Gujarat, organized a one-day Industry Meet and Start-up Conclave 2026 with the objective of strengthening the institute–industry interface and promoting start-ups in the field of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs).

The inaugural session of the conclave was held under the chairmanship of Dr. KB Kathiria, Former Vice Chancellor, Anand Agricultural University (AAU), Anand, Gujarat. Dr. Amit Vyas, Managing Director, Amul, Anand graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

The programme was attended by distinguished dignitaries including Dr. Anil Kumar Dubey, Director, Sardar Patel Renewable Energy Research Institute (SPRERI), Vallabh Vidhya Nagar; Dr. S. S. Kalamkar, Director, Agro-Economic Research Centre (AERC), SP University, Vallabh Vidhya Nagar; Dr. Bimal Kumar Bhattacharya, Group Director, ISRO-Space Application Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad; and Dr. Saswata Narayan Biswas, Director, Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA), Anand as Guests of Honour.

Dr. Hardik Soni, Assistant General Manager, Vasu Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., Vadodara; Dr. Bhagirath Choudhary, Founder Director, South Asia Biotechnology Centre (SABC), New Delhi; and Dr. R. O. Gupta, Senior General Manager, National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Anand participated as Special Guests.

Dr. Manish Das, Director, ICAR-DMAPR, Anand, Gujarat, highlighted the key achievements of the Directorate and emphasized the need for developing value chains for medicinal and aromatic plants.

Dr. Hardik Soni highlighted the expectations of MAPs in the Ayurveda industry and noted the increasing global demand driven by the growing popularity of Ayurveda.

Dr. Bhagirath Choudhary emphasized the prospects of the Isabgol industry and suggested the establishment of a MAP innovation centre at ICAR-DMAPR in collaboration with Amul, considering the importance of MAPs as nutraceuticals and functional foods.

Dr. R. O. Gupta highlighted entrepreneurial opportunities in the development of ethnoveterinary applications using herbal plants and stressed the need to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in livestock, along with concerns related to residues in milk. Dr. Anil Kumar Dubey underscored the importance of energy-efficient processes for cost-effective production and processing of medicinal plants and their products.

Dr. S. S. Kalamkar emphasized the need for developing commodity-specific information booklets on the production and marketing of MAPs. Dr. Bimal Kumar Bhattacharya highlighted the role of geospatial technologies in precision farming and stressed the importance of site suitability assessment for quality production of MAPs.

Dr. Saswata Narayan Biswas emphasized the need for branding and value chain development of MAPs, highlighting their role in livelihood security and rural development. Dr. Amit Vyas elaborated on the Amul model of economic development and highlighted the scope for value-added products using medicinal plants, emphasizing the need to conserve health, protect heritage, and ensure sustainable livelihoods.

In his address, Dr. KB Kathiria highlighted the vast opportunities for business development in medicinal and aromatic plants and noted that Gujarat has emerged as a hub for medicinal plant-based enterprises.

On the occasion, four publications Technology Bulletin (AICRP-MAP&B), Pest Catalogue of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, ICAR-DMAPR Newsletter, and Standard Operating Protocols for HPLC-based Quality Analysis of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants were released. Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged with Charotar University of Science and Technology (CHARUSAT), Changa, and Sardar Patel Renewable Energy Research Institute (SPRERI), Vallabh Vidhya Nagar to promote collaborative research and development in MAPs.

The conclave also featured two panel discussions on “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants for Health and Economy” and “Incubation and Business Development in MAPs,” with participation from 25 panelists. A total of 25 start-ups showcased their innovative products and ideas.

The event witnessed participation from 239 delegates, including representatives from industries, start-ups, entrepreneurs, farmers, academia, scientists, heads of ICAR institutes in Gujarat, media, and other stakeholders.

(Source: ICAR-Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research, Anand, Gujarat)