Tamil Nadu Agricultural University’s Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology conducted a training entitled "Microgreens: A Super Food and Business Ideas" on May 3, 2025. A total of 145 participants, including entrepreneurs, students and youth attended and benefited from the program.
At the inaugural session of the event, Dr. E. Kokiladevi, Head of Department of Plant Biotechnology delivered the welcome address. She highlighted that the Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology has been established with financial support from the Government of Tamil Nadu with 1.06 lakh square feet. She further stated that the centre facilitates advanced research in key areas such as Agricultural and Food Technology, Green Biotechnology, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics. The centre aims to develop high-yielding crop varieties with resistance to pests, diseases and climate resilience, along with biofertilizers, biopesticides, agricultural machinery and bioenergy solutions. Also, she emphasized that students, entrepreneurs and agricultural institutions will benefit significantly from the resources and innovations emerging from this centre.
In her inaugural address, Dr. R. Umarani, Director, Seed Centre, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, explained that microgreens are young edible greens harvested just after the seed has sprouted and the first set of true leaves has developed. These include both the stem and cotyledons (seed leaves), which are entirely edible. She highlighted that microgreens contain up to 40 times more nutrients than their mature counterparts and are rich in vitamins C, E, and K, beta-carotene, and polyphenols. In today’s fast paced, health has become a major concern, and with the declining intake of green vegetables, microgreens offer a nutritious and compact alternative, creating a new wave in the healthy food market.
During the training session, Mr. S. K. Babu, Project Director of Eco Green Unit, stated that microgreens, being low-investment crops that can be harvested in a short period, offer an excellent source of greenery with minimal land and water requirements. He emphasized that these qualities make microgreens ideal for women-led self-employment and also open up new market opportunities for green entrepreneurs, students, youth and startup ventures.
In conclusion, Dr. V. Rajan Babu, Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Biotechnology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, delivered the vote of thanks. In his address, he highlighted that Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology has signed Memorandums of Agreement (MoAs) with 16 startup companies and 5 other organizations to enhance research activities. He stated that the centre serves as a platform for knowledge and technology transfer among universities, research and development institutions and startups, fostering innovation. Through these skill development initiatives, the centre aims to nurture young talent. Furthermore, he noted that through public-private partnership, the centre will support advancements in biotechnology, bioinformatics, genetics, molecular diagnostics, gene isolation, cell culture and agricultural inputs.