NIFTEM Boosts Food Processing in Karnataka Through New Partnerships
The National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM), with campuses in Kundli, Haryana, and Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, is making strides in the food processing sector. The institutes, which operate under the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, have forged collaborations with various educational and research organizations, notably in Karnataka, to enhance academic programs, research, and capacity-building efforts in this vital industry.
NIFTEM-Thanjavur has recently entered into Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with several prominent institutions, including the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, the University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shimoga, and the CSIR–Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) in Mysuru. These partnerships are aimed at enriching educational initiatives and boosting research opportunities in food technology.
Short Courses and Infrastructure Initiatives
As part of its commitment to professional development, NIFTEM-Thanjavur has conducted short-term courses focused on Cold Chain Management. These courses are designed to equip industry professionals with crucial knowledge and skills necessary for improving the cold chain aspects of food processing.
The government has also introduced significant schemes under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY), emphasizing the creation of Infrastructure for Agro Processing Clusters (APC) and Integrated Cold Chain facilities. These demand-driven initiatives invite proposals from across the nation, including Bengaluru and the Dakshina Kannada districts, to support the establishment of integrated cold chain and agro-processing cluster projects. Such projects aim to enhance shelf-life, create jobs, and increase farmers’ incomes.
Support for Agro-Processing and Cold Chain Projects
Proposals submitted under the APC scheme receive priority if they align with agri-horti clusters identified by the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation, and Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) and APEDA. A recent third-party impact evaluation study has validated the effectiveness of the Cold Chain and APC schemes, urging their continuation to bridge the gap in existing post-harvest infrastructure.
Eligibility for applying to the Cold Chain and Agro Processing Cluster schemes extends to various entities, including farmers and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). To date, one project has been successfully approved in the Bengaluru region, positively impacting the livelihoods of 600 farmers.
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