Centre for Plant Molecular Biology & Biotechnology & Directorate of Agri Business Development, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore organized a two day event on Bio Entrepreneurship Ecosystem at TNAU during 7th & 8th of November 2022.
The first day of the event was organized as Agri Biotech Stakeholder Meet. Around 60 entrepreneurs, start-up companies and faculty participated in this event. TNAU’s technical expertise, research infrastructure, high-end equipment and incubation facilities were showcased to all the stakeholders of bio entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Dr. V. Geethalakshmi, Vice-Chancellor of TNAU in her presidential address proudly announced that TNAU has been awarded with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel outstanding institution 2022. In relevance to the theme of the event, she mentioned that TNAU has six agri business incubation forums in six different constituent colleges of TNAU. Her speech was more towards bio firm’s capacity building and outreach program. Role of biotechnology was introduced and its vibrant development throughout the world was explained. She also explained how product development in India is being strengthened at Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
Dr. M.K. Shanmugasundaram, IAS, Development Commissioner, MEPZ, Special Economic Zone, Chennai, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India in his inaugural address stated that the term bio-entrepreneurship comes from the stem of biotechnology. He added about the commercial application of biotechnology and how it leads to bio entrepreneurship. He listed out very good bioentrepreneurs from all over the world namely OzoneBio (Canada) and Coston farms (USA). He also mentioned about Indian biotech firms such as Biocon, Serum Institute and Bharath Biotech. He also highlighted the tissue engineering work being carried out in BITS Pilani.
Dr. K. K. Narayanan, Director, Sthayika Seeds, Bengaluru delivered the keynote address. Following that, technical directors of various technical directorates of TNAU presented about the products/technologies that are readily available for commercialization.
Dr. R. Ravikesavan, Director, Centre for Plant Breeding and Genetics, Dr. M. Shanthi, Director, Centre for Plant Protection Studies, Dr. R. Umarani, Director, Seed Centre,
Dr. E. Somasundaram, Director, Agri Business Development, Dr. M.K. Kalarani, Director,
Crop Management, Dr. A. Raviraj, Dean, Agricultural Engineering College & Research Institute, Coimbatore and Dr. P. Irene Vedhamani, Dean, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Coimbatore participated in this event.
Earlier, Dr. M. Raveendran, Director of Research, TNAU, Coimbatore welcomed the gathering. Finally, Dr. N. Senthil, Director, CPMB&B, TNAU, Coimbatore proposed vote of thanks. All the University officers, HODs, research scholars and stake holders also attended the inaugural function.