ICAR-DMAPR Hosts Industry Meet and Start-up Conclave on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

16 July 2025, Anand, Gujarat

ICAR-Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research (ICAR-DMAPR), Anand, Gujarat, organized a two-day Industry Meet and Start-up Conclave 2025 on 14–15 July 2025 to strengthen the institute-industry interface and promote entrepreneurship in the field of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs).

The inaugural session was chaired by Dr. S.K. Malhotra, Vice Chancellor, Maharana Pratap Horticultural University, Karnal.

Dr. N.C. Gautam, Former Vice Chancellor, Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya and Chairman, QRT, ICAR-DMAPR, and Dr. Sudhakar Pandey, Assistant Director General (FVPMS), ICAR, were the Guests of Honour. 

Other notable guests included Dr. Hardik Soni, AGM, Vasu Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., Shri Birju Patel, Director, Dhanvantari Gujarat Herb, and Dr. Anil Kumar Dubey, Director, SPRERI.

Dr. Manish Das, Director, ICAR-DMAPR, in his welcome address, outlined the institute’s achievements and emphasized the role of innovation, post-harvest management, and start-up incubation through the Medi-Hub Technology Business Incubator.

Speakers emphasized key areas including the importance of quality raw materials and GAP certification (BharatGAP) for industry linkage and export readiness; primary processing and energy-efficient technologies for enhanced quality and cost-effectiveness; the need for traceability, certification infrastructure, and dedicated MAP mandis to strengthen marketing and trade; and the development of databases for producers, consumers, and researchers, along with seed value chains and cultivation clusters to ensure quality planting material and market assurance.
The event also saw the release of Technology Booklet 3.0, four Gujarati leaflets on GAP, and the launch of Vallabh Herbal Tea, a caffeine-free, flavonoid- and catechin-rich product developed by ICAR-DMAPR.

Panel discussions and plenary lectures addressed key challenges and opportunities in MAP cultivation, processing, value addition, and marketing. Topics included incubation support, ethnoveterinary applications, IP management, and funding for start-ups.

The conclave featured product exhibits by 20 start-ups from across India and was attended by 140 delegates representing industry, academia, entrepreneurs, farmers, and scientists. The event marked a significant step in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in the MAP sector.

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