IBSD promotes women bioentrepreneurship at IISF 2024
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 01 2024:
The 10th edition of the India International Science Festival (IISF), the country's largest science fest, began at the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati on Saturday.
The event celebrates India's scientific achievements, fosters innovation and offers a diverse range of activities to engage participants.
Over 8,000 delegates, researchers and leading scientific organisations are expected to attend the 4-day festival.
During a programme held on the topic "Science Odyssey of the North East", Prof Pulok Kumar Mukherjee, Director of the Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), said that the IBSD has established the BioNEST Incubator for "Promoting Women Bio-entrepreneurship in Orchid Floriculture".
He highlighted various activities of BioNEST Incubator and discussed various opportunities for the development of startups in the NE Region.
The Director also mentioned that the major focus of this programme is capacity building and training of women bio-entrepreneurs and farmers from different parts of Ri-Bhoi, aspirational district of Meghalaya.
"Under this programme, more than 100 women entrepreneurs have been trained and encouraged for orchid cultivation and propagation.
This project is implemented through a Hub and Spokes model at Umsning Block of Ri-Bhoi district", he added.
The Director also elaborated on the different research activities and outreach programmes taken up by IBSD for promoting bioeconomy from bioresources for Viksit Bharat.
Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Government of India visited the IBSD stall in DBT Expo and interacted with the Director and other staff of IBSD.
During the visit, the Union Minister encouraged the women bioentrepreneurs and beneficiaries of BioNEST Incubator of IBSD for the entrepreneurship development through Orchid floriculture.
He appreciated this initiative of IBSD for the development of women entrepreneurship and startups in this region.
Dr Rajesh S Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India interacted with women beneficiaries of BioNEST Incubator of IBSD which is funded by BIRAC, DBT for the development of women bioentrepreneurship through floriculture.
He congratulated Prof Pulok Kumar Mukherjee and the IBSD team for actively participating in IISF 2024 and highlighting various activities of the institute to promote bioresources of NER for the development of bioeconomy.