BIRAC-BioNEST Centre Opens at CSIR-CFTRI, Mysuru
Why in the news
Dr. Jitendra Singh opened a BioNEST incubation centre at the CSIR-CFTRI campus in Mysuru. He also laid the foundation for a hostel complex financed through RKVY.
Key facts
- Centre: BIRAC-BioNEST Incubation Centre at CSIR-CFTRI (Central Food Technological Research Institute), Mysuru.
- BIRAC: Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council, a non-profit PSU under the Department of Biotechnology.
- BioNEST: Bioincubators Nurturing Entrepreneurship for Scaling Technologies; it connects lab research with the market.
- Hostel complex: to be funded under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).
Aims and support
| Area | What it offers |
|---|---|
| Entrepreneurship | Nurtures talent in food bioprocessing and biotechnology |
| Commercialisation | Turns raw ideas into commercially viable technologies |
| Infrastructure | High-end lab equipment early startups could not afford |
| Mentorship | CFTRI scientists guide young entrepreneurs through technical hurdles |
| Funding | Routes to BIRAC grants and seed money |
| Networking | Contact with industry leaders for scale-up and distribution |
Why CFTRI
CSIR-CFTRI is the country’s leading food technology institute, so the centre emphasises food-biotech:
- Nutraceuticals: functional foods with benefits beyond basic nutrition.
- Sustainable packaging: biotech-based biodegradable options replacing plastic.
- Waste-to-wealth: bioprocessing farm waste into valuable enzymes or proteins.
Exam angle
- Location: Mysuru, Karnataka; parent body of host institute: CSIR.
- BIRAC works under the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology.
- RKVY: agriculture and allied sector scheme.