In a landmark move towards greener agricultural solutions, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu, and HAPICO Industries Pvt. Ltd. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly develop a biopesticide based on indigenous microbial strains.

The MoU was officially signed by Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director of CSIR-IIIM, and Mr. Shabeer Ahmed, Managing Director of HAPICO Industries, at CSIR-IIIM’s Jammu campus. This collaboration is poised to harness India’s rich microbial biodiversity and the nation’s advanced research capabilities to create effective, eco-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides.

This partnership will center on scaling a unique microbial strain that was identified by CSIR-IIIM’s Fermentation and Microbial Biotechnology (FMB) Division. Under the agreement, CSIR-IIIM will take the lead on scientific research and technology development, while HAPICO Industries will focus on commercial production and market deployment, ensuring that the innovation reaches farmers efficiently and affordably.

Dr. Zabeer Ahmed emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating that, “Developing biopesticide solutions not only reduces our dependency on chemical inputs but also ensures safer food systems and a healthier environment.”

Mr. Shabeer Ahmed echoed this sentiment, reaffirming HAPICO’s commitment to supporting India’s bio-agricultural transformation. “We are aligned with the global momentum towards sustainable farming, and this partnership enables us to play a meaningful role in it,” he said.

The MoU represents a strategic step towards bridging cutting-edge research with real-world agricultural impact. With both institutions committed to innovation and sustainability, the biopesticide product is expected to be introduced to the Indian market in the near future, offering farmers an efficient and sustainable crop protection solution.

Source- IIIM