Agri-Business Incubation Centre

About the Centre

The Zonal Technology Management - Agribusiness Incubation (ZTM-ABI) Centre at ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT), Cochin supports operations on business projects as a measure of enhancing the foundation for new technology-based industries and establishing a knowledge-based economy. The Centre helps prospective entrepreneurs, by providing pro-active and value-added business support in terms of technical consultancy, infrastructure facility, experts’ guidance, and training to develop technology-based business ideas and establish sustainable enterprises.

The Centre is tailored specifically for technology-based industries and is operational at an area with a high concentration of fish production. This industry specific incubator allows new firms to tap into local knowledge and business networks that are already in place. ZTM-ABI Centre aims to bring its benefits to all the fisheries communities in India and possess good infrastructure suitable for providing direct incubation to nine entrepreneurs in a corporate environment.

Incubation Facilities under one roof

ZTM-ABI Centre targets entrepreneurs, from fledgling start-ups in need of basic small scale processing capacity to sophisticated businesses in need of R&D back up, office infrastructure and pilot / test market processing facility for the development of new products. The purpose of direct incubation is to support emerging companies through their infancy. 

The major facilities provided by the business incubator for de-risking are listed below:

1)    Provides technology and know-how backed up with scientific results.
2)    Initial assessment of product and business

• Assess the commercial viability of the business plan.
• Identify technology gaps and requirements.

3)    Regulatory, compliance and standards support.

• Training in quality regulations and related aspects
• On-site inspections and formulate remedial measures.
• Provides assistance to secure regulatory and standards certifications.

4)    Infrastructure and production unit

• State-of-the-art pilot level production facility
• Well-furnished office space at prime business location

5)    Training and skill development
6)    Product development and testing
7)    Setting up of new facilities and up-scaling

Range of Technologies Developed at ICAR-CIFT

• Energy Efficient Fishing Vessels
• Responsible Fishing Gear Designs
• Bycatch Reduction devices
• Carbon Footprint Reduction
• Value Added Products 
• High-value byproducts
• Thermal & Non-thermal Processing
• Novel Food Packaging Techniques
• Rapid Detection Test Kits
• Aquatic Bioactive Compounds
• Seaweed Nutraceuticals
• Dietary Supplements
• Green Chemistry Process
• Antimicrobial Resistance
• Molecular typing of pathogens
• Biomolecules from Aquatic Bacteria
• Food Processing Equipment Design
• Renewable Energy Systems
• Refrigeration & Cold storage
• Waste management techniques

Business Services Offered

• Novel technologies for harvest and post-harvest sectors
• New product formulation and testing
• Technology up scaling
• Setting up of production lines / food processing units
• Packaging and labelling
• Shelf life evaluation
• Designing and equipping laboratories
• NABL accreditation / HACCP Certification
• Food safety and regulatory demands

Mode of Commercialisation

Various mode of commercialization are as follows:

• Technology Transfer 
• Consultancy
• Contract Research (Sponsored / Grant-in-aid / Collaborative)
• Contract Service

Semi-Commercial Pilot Plant Facility

A state-of-the art Pilot level facility is set up as part of Agribusiness Incubation Centre, with 9 state-of-the-art production lines along with Culinary Centre and Product Development Centre. The incubatees are given access to these FSSAI approved facilities for the semi-commercial production of fish and meat-based products.

Range of Technologies

Who can apply?
Entrepreneurs / Partnership Firms / Private Ltd. Companies / NGOs / Co-operatives / GOs / Start-ups / Universities and colleges / Students looking for technological guidance / mentoring. The interested clients should submit an application form along with a brief Project Proposal to ZTM-ABI center.

Incubation Period:
The residency period for direct incubatees will be for one year, extendable by another year in special cases, depending on the progress of incubation.

Incubation Registration Fee:
Rs.2000/- + applicable GST

Incubation Office Facility and Pilot Plant:
Office facility can be availed on a monthly rental basis and pilot plant activities shall be charged on operational basis.

For more information, please contact:
Dr. C.O. Mohan
Principal Investigator, ZTM-ABI Centre
Officer-in-Charge, Institute Technology Management Unit 
ICAR - Central Institute of Fisheries Technology
Phone: +91 - 484 – 2412366, 2412414 
Email: ciftitmu@gmail.com