CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (NIScPR), New Delhi, in collaboration with CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CSIR-CFTRI), Mysore, Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA), and Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA), jointly organised a two-day “Technology Showcasing and Networking Meet of CSIR-CFTRI Food and Millet Technologies” at CSIR-CFTRI from 19-20 September 2024. The primary objective of the event was to showcase and demonstrate the food technologies developed by CSIR-CFTRI for the benefit of stakeholders from rural areas of the country and how these technologies can be utilised to create livelihood opportunities in rural areas, identify key challenges, and promote sustainable development. The event was also aimed to provide a platform where these innovations can be demonstrated to a wide range of stakeholders from all over the country. The event witnessed an overwhelming participation of more than 100 participants from all across the country.
The inaugural session commenced with a welcome address from Dr Sridevi Annapurna Singh, Director, CSIR-CFTRI. Dr Singh highlighted the CSIR-CFTRI’s efforts to address the challenge of malnutrition along with the hidden micro malnutrition in the country during the initial years of CSIR-CFTRI. She talked about the important CSIR-CFTRI technologies like infant food from buffalo milk, parboiling of rice, spice, oil, automation technologies for traditional food, biodegradable leaf cup machines, etc. She highlighted efforts to fill the gap of skilled manpower in the food industry through the MSc course on Food Technology and the International School of Milling Technology course run by the CSIR-CFTRI.
Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal, Director, CSIR-NIScPR, provided the background of CSIR-NIScPR’s ongoing collaboration with UBA and VIBHA to create livelihood and business opportunities in rural India using CSIR Technologies. She also highlighted reversing the migration from rural to urban through creating opportunities in rural areas for sustainable development.
Prof. Virendra Kumar Vijay provided the overview of the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan and it’s collaboration with CSIR and highlighted the ongoing UBA initiative towards rural development. Project Director Prof. PK Singh of Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, NCI, New Delhi, mentioned the Subject Expert Groups contribution and the working model in Unnat Bharat Abhiyan and their contributions.
The Guest of Honour, Shri NP Rajive, and Executive Director Vibha Vani highlighted the efforts towards addressing upscaling and speeding up the implementation of technologies and suggested convergence among stakeholders to address societal issues through collaboration and knowledge exchange. Dr Yogesh Suman, CSIR-NIScPR, discussed the importance of the joint efforts of CSIR, UBA, and VIBHA to create livelihood opportunities in rural areas by using CSIR technologies. The Chief Guest, Shri Sam Cherian, Chairman and Managing Director, Schevaran Laboratories Pvt. Ltd, Mysuru, highlighted the CSIR-CFTRI’s efforts and contributions to the food industry in the country.
In the technical session, Dr Aashitosh Inamdar highlighted the various R&D activities and translation efforts of CSIR-CFTRI technologies that benefit stakeholders.
Sh Aashitosh Inamdar moderated the networking session, during which participants interacted with technology developer scientists to identify specific opportunities for CSIR-CFTRI Technology deployment. The panellists involved from the CSIR-CFTRI were Dr Umesh Hebbar H, Dr Pradeep Singh Negi, Dr Meera M S, Dr Attar Singh Chauhan, Dr PV Suresh, Dr Pushpa S Murthy, Dr Ashitosh Inamdar. They highlighted various technologies CSIR-CFTRI developed in fruits & vegetables, grains, traditional foods, meat processing, and value-added products using pepper, turmeric, ginger, spices, etc.
An interactive session was also held with the representatives from the banking sector and Government agencies responsible for implementing various Government schemes in agriculture. The panellists Shri Chandra Kumar from KAPPEC Karnataka, Shri Chandrashekhar from Medikere, Shri Saiyad Rizvi from Union Bank of India and Shri Krishnamurti from State Bank of India, Mysuru, discussed the funding schemes like PFME, Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), Retail Asset Credit Centre (RACC) and other short term and long term funding schemes for technology adaptation and establishing enterprises and start-ups.
The event concluded with the distribution of certificates of participation to the participants.
