Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the BIRAC-BioNEST Incubation Centre at CSIR-Central Food Technology & Research Institute (CSIR-CFTRI), Mysuru, on 3 April 2026 and reviewed an exhibition of Startup-driven technologies and products, positioning the institute’s incubation ecosystem as a key platform for bridging laboratory research with commercial applications.
Designed as a state-of-the-art facility with dedicated incubation suites and shared infrastructure, the BioNEST Incubation Centre is expected to boost Food Startups, support advanced research, scale-up validation and regulatory facilitation in food bioprocessing and biotechnology, enabling conversion of scientific ideas into market-ready solutions.
As of March 2026, the BioNEST facility has supported 26 Startups, including physical and hybrid incubates as well as graduated ventures — with several already achieving product commercialisation. Incubated companies have collectively filed 12 patents and contributed to research publications, reflecting a growing emphasis on innovation aligned with market outcomes.
The Startups operate across emerging domains such as nutraceuticals, precision fermentation, probiotics and postbiotics, CRISPR-based technologies and botanicals, indicating a shift towards high-value, science-driven segments within the food and biotechnology sectors.
During his interaction with entrepreneurs and stakeholders, Dr Jitendra Singh underlined that while starting a venture has become easier, sustaining it requires continuous value addition, market access and stronger industry linkage. He called for deeper engagement between research institutions and the private sector, and emphasised aligning innovation with consumer demand, including in ready-to-eat and convenience food segments.
The Minister also highlighted the government’s push to expand private sector participation in emerging technology areas, pointing to new funding mechanisms and institutional support frameworks aimed at accelerating research, development and innovation. He stressed that scientific institutions must enhance outreach through digital platforms and targeted communication strategies to improve awareness and adoption of technologies, while also encouraging convergence across sectors such as biotechnology, space and specialised nutrition.
The event also saw the signing of four Memoranda of Understanding and the launch of two products developed at CFTRI, signalling continued industry engagement and commercialisation of in-house technologies. Officials said such collaborations are critical for scaling innovations and strengthening linkages with micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Marking the institute’s 75th year, a set of publications documenting its research legacy and technological contributions was released, including a coffee table book, a compendium of research and development achievements, a photo journey and a collection of traditional recipes. A commemorative postal cover and picture postcard were also unveiled to mark the milestone.
The exhibition functioned as a live demonstration of the institute’s lab-to-market pipeline, showcasing technologies, processed food products, and startup innovations developed at CFTRI and by its licensees. With over 450 technologies developed and transferred to thousands of licensees, the institute has emerged as a key national hub for food research, industry collaboration and enterprise development.
Officials said the BioNEST ecosystem is increasingly drawing national and international interest, with startups participating in global programmes, achieving commercial milestones and technology transfers, and attracting attention from strategic sectors such as defence for specialised food applications.
The developments collectively signal a shift from a research-led approach to a market-linked food innovation ecosystem, with CSIR-CFTRI positioning itself as an integrated platform combining scientific research, incubation support and industry collaboration to drive the next phase of growth in India’s food processing sector.
On the same day, 3 April 2026, India’s millet push received a dual institutional boost as the Centre moved to scale both technology and grassroots capacity, with Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh highlighting that millet recipes developed with Indian technology are being served by international food chains, including McDonald’s.
The Centre is now working on developing similar sustainable food recipes from “Kalari”, a popular cheese product originating from Udhampur in J&K, the Minister informed.
During a visit to the country’s first dedicated “Centre of Excellence” for Millets at the Central Food Technology & Research Institute, Dr Jitendra Singh observed that the innovations from this Centre have already entered global food chains, and will now be complemented by a new residential training ecosystem to expand its reach nationwide.
Earlier, the Minister performed the Bhoomi Pooja for 30 single occupancy hostel facility under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), marking the start of a capacity-building expansion aimed at trainees, farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and self-help groups, even as he positioned the institute’s millet ecosystem as a model for converting traditional crops into scalable, market-ready products.
The upcoming hostel complex at the MG Halli campus will include facility for around 50 participants, accommodation, and kitchen and dining infrastructure, and is expected to be completed within a year. The facility is designed to support residential training programmes, enabling participation from across the country, particularly for those unable to afford accommodation, and strengthening skill development in food processing, entrepreneurship and value addition.
Officials said the project addresses a growing demand for structured training, with the institute already conducting dozens of programmes annually for farmers, entrepreneurs and industry stakeholders. The residential format is expected to significantly enhance participation and outcomes by allowing hands-on, immersive training aligned with the government’s Skill India and livelihood generation initiatives.
Positioning millets at the centre of India’s food and nutrition strategy, Dr Jitendra Singh described the Centre of Excellence at CFTRI as “possibly the first of its kind globally”, developed at a time when India has led the international millet movement, including the United Nations’ declaration of the International Year of Millets. He said the institute has demonstrated how traditional grains can be transformed into modern food products that are “rich in iron and protein, yet taste-friendly”, with adoption by global food chains reflecting their commercial viability and consumer acceptance.
During his visit to the Centre of Excellence on Millets, Dr Jitendra Singh reviewed the facility’s integrated processing infrastructure, which includes seven processing lines and a dedicated laboratory enabling end-to-end primary and secondary processing of all major millets. The centre is equipped with specialised lines for cleaning, dehulling, polishing and sorting, as well as for producing value-added products such as flakes, extruded items, baked goods and semolina. It also incorporates technologies that extend the shelf life of millet flour from about one month to nearly ten months, significantly enhancing commercial viability. With automated operations and a processing capacity ranging from 300 kg to 1,000 kg per hour, the facility is designed to support farmers, self-help groups and startups in developing market-ready millet-based products.
The millet facility, supported by ?20 crore under RKVY, integrates advanced processing technologies capable of handling all nine varieties of millets within a single system. With a cleaning capacity of 60–70 tonnes per day and milling capacity of 12–15 tonnes per day, it produces a range of value-added outputs including flour, semolina (sooji and rava) and bran, while ensuring higher nutrient retention, improved shelf life and industrial-scale efficiency in a hygienic, automated environment.
Dr Jitendra Singh emphasised that the next phase of growth lies in expanding the commercial and entrepreneurial ecosystem around such technologies. He called for stronger outreach, including digital dissemination and targeted engagement with startups and MSMEs, particularly in emerging segments such as ready-to-eat and “carry-home” food products tailored to changing urban consumption patterns.
Noting that institutions like CFTRI have already developed hundreds of technologies with high levels of commercial adoption, the Minister said the focus must now shift to ensuring wider market access and last-mile delivery. He stressed that scientific innovation must move beyond laboratories to directly support livelihoods, especially through partnerships with farmers, women’s groups and small enterprises.
The twin initiatives unveiled on Friday — a globally benchmarked millet innovation platform and a dedicated residential training facility — together signal a more integrated approach to food policy, linking research, skill development and enterprise creation. While the millet centre provides the technological backbone for value-added, nutrition-driven products, the hostel facility is expected to expand the pool of trained stakeholders capable of adopting and scaling these innovations on the ground.
With global attention turning towards climate-resilient crops and sustainable nutrition, millets are emerging as a strategic focus area for India’s food economy. The CFTRI model, combining scientific research, industry linkage and grassroots capacity-building, is being positioned as a template for translating this opportunity into both economic growth and nutritional outcomes.
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Adapted from PIB
