The Agribusiness Incubation (ABI) Centre at ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), Kochi has brought out 5 new innovative and technology enabled business enterprises, which got selected for showcasing in the Agri-Startup Conclave 2022 which will be inaugurated by Prime Minister of Indian, Shri. Narendra Modi, at New Delhi on 17^th October.

ICAR-CIFT has nurtured more than 150 entrepreneurs through its entrepreneurial support system by offering wide range of scientific, technical, managerial and administrative services, since its establishment in 2009. Among them, five entrepreneurs who have successfully launched innovative business ventures using ICAR-CIFT technologies were shortlisted and invited by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare under Ministry of Agriculture, Govt of India, to attend the Conclave and Kisan Sammelan at New Delhi organised on the theme “Badalta Krishi Paridrishya Aur Takneek”. The two-day event directly organised by Hon'ble Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare will give an opportunity to the start-ups to network with stakeholders, market their innovations and interact and seek funding from investors.

BODINA NATURALS (P) LTD, started by Mr. Bobby Kizhakkethara, manufacturing seaweed based herbal gargle with anti-viral/anti-bacterial actions and fucoidan based Zafora 360 capsules; ZAARA BIOTECH (P) LTD started by Mr. Najeeb Bin Haneef, manufacturing algae and seaweed based FMCG products; FOO FOODS INDIA (P) LTD started by Mr. Mohammed Fawas, manufacturing ready-to-cook mussel products using retort technology; ZARIN GOURMET (P) LTD, started by 3 student entrepreneurs, Saurav, Rifat and Faaiz, who established all India supply chain for home grown Kashmiri Trout; and ZCORP ORGANIC (P) LTD started by Mr. Sundar Raj, manufacturing seaweed based functional foods to fight malnutrition & lifestyle diseases are the five shortlisted start-ups. Dr. Leela Edwin, Director, ICAR-CIFT and Dr. George Ninan, Principal Investigator, ABI Centre were instrumental in guiding these entrepreneurs to start their business ventures using ICAR-CIFT technologies. ICAR-CIFT Incubation Centre leads among other ICAR-Institutes, with most number of entrepreneurs invited for the Conclave.