CSIR and Partners Showcase Innovative Food Technologies to Boost Rural Livelihoods

Technical Sessions and Networking Opportunities Day two featured a networking session that allowed participants to interact with scientists from CSIR-CFTRI.

The CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (NIScPR), in collaboration with CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA), and Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA), successfully hosted a two-day "Technology Showcasing and Networking Meet of CFTRI Food and Millet Technologies" at CSIR-CFTRI in Mysuru from September 19-20, 2024. This event highlighted CSIR-CFTRI’s groundbreaking food technologies designed to enhance rural livelihoods and promote sustainable development.

As a leader in food science research, CSIR-CFTRI focuses on various aspects of food processing, post-harvest technology, food safety, and nutraceuticals, impacting a broad spectrum of food products, including cereals, pulses, fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, and fish. 

 

Objectives of the Event

The event aimed to:

- Showcase CSIR-CFTRI's innovative technologies to stakeholders from rural areas.

- Create livelihood opportunities through technology adoption and implementation.

- Identify challenges in food processing and agricultural productivity to foster economic growth and food security in rural regions.

- Facilitate networking among industry professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers, policymakers, and rural community members to promote collaboration and commercialization of CSIR technologies.

 

Keynote Addresses and Highlights

The inaugural session featured esteemed speakers including Dr. Sridevi Annapurna Singh (Director, CSIR-CFTRI), Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal (Director, CSIR-NIScPR), and others.

Dr. Singh discussed CSIR-CFTRI’s initiatives addressing malnutrition, including technologies for infant food, rice processing, and automation for traditional food preparation. She also emphasized the need for skilled manpower in the food industry, highlighting the institute’s MSc course in Food Technology. Prof. Aggarwal shared insights on ongoing collaborations with UBA and VIBHA to create rural livelihood opportunities and reverse migration trends by fostering sustainable development. She presented success stories from their joint initiatives, demonstrating the impact of CSIR technologies in rural areas.

 

Technical Sessions and Networking Opportunities Day two featured a networking session that allowed participants to interact with scientists from CSIR-CFTRI. Experts showcased various technologies, including advancements in fruit and vegetable processing, grain handling, and the creation of value-added products using spices. This session aimed to identify specific opportunities for deploying these technologies in rural settings. An interactive discussion with representatives from the banking sector and government agencies explored funding schemes available for agricultural technology adaptation and startup establishment. Panellists highlighted programs like the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) and the PM Formalization of Micro Food Enterprises (PM-FME) scheme.

 

The event successfully brought together over 100 participants from across the country, fostering a collaborative environment for knowledge exchange and innovation in food technology. By emphasizing the role of technology in enhancing food security and rural livelihoods, the CSIR and its partners are paving the way for sustainable development in India’s rural communities. This initiative aligns with the government's broader goals of economic growth and food security, positioning CSIR-CFTRI as a vital contributor to these objectives.