Jammu, Jun 10 : In a major push to strengthen India’s aromatic crop value chain and promote botanical wellness products, the CSIR–Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu, on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gurugram-based luxury botanical wellness company Ambrosia Botanicals.
The collaboration seeks to build a structured framework for research, quality standardisation, value addition, and market development of aromatic crops and essential oils, while creating new commercial opportunities for farmers, entrepreneurs and stakeholders in the sector.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM Jammu, and Pratiba S. Kedia, Founder and Chief Formulator of Ambrosia Botanicals.
Under the agreement, both sides will collaborate on research projects, scientific validation of botanical formulations, exchange of technical expertise, and development of value-added products derived from aromatic crops. The partnership will also support the objectives of CSIR’s Aroma Mission by strengthening market linkages and improving commercial utilisation of aromatic produce.
Dr. Zabeer Ahmed said the initiative reflects CSIR-IIIM’s commitment to translating scientific innovation into market-ready solutions that benefit farmers, industry and consumers. He added that the collaboration will help bridge gaps between research and market needs, while enhancing product quality standards and expanding livelihood opportunities for growers.
As per the MoU, CSIR-IIIM will provide scientific and technical support for product evaluation, optimisation and validation, along with quality, safety and stability assessments. The institute may also facilitate development and supply of botanical materials and extracts for joint research, subject to resource availability.
Ambrosia Botanicals will contribute market insights, product concepts, formulation inputs and commercialization strategies, besides identifying emerging market opportunities and supporting licensing and product rollout under mutually agreed terms.
The agreement also includes joint research initiatives, exchange of scientific personnel, capacity-building programmes, technology dissemination, and annual work plans to identify priority areas. The MoU will remain valid for five years and may be renewed by mutual consent.
Officials present at the signing included senior scientists and researchers from CSIR-IIIM Jammu and representatives from Ambrosia Botanicals.
