Processing technologies could prove game changer in agri growth: PAU VC

Ludhiana, September 28:



Advocating for development of new processing technologies for value addition, Dr B.S Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University, lamented that decreasing landholdings has made agriculture less profitable for majority of farmers and their children are forced to look for other avenues of employment. He was speaking at the inaugural function of regional level exhibition on showcasing of agriculture technologies organized by Central Institute of Post Harvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET), under NAIP Sub-Project Mobilizing Mass Media Support for Sharing Agro Information.



The exhibition was represented by top food processing industries, agricultural universities, ICAR institutes including Adani Agri Logistics Ltd, Cremica Industries Ltd, Ricella Health Foods Ltd, Tru Milk, Kashmir Aparies, Punjab Agricultural University, PAU Kisan Club, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary & Animal Science University, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi; Directorate of Wheat Research (DWR), Karnal, Center Potato Research Institute (CPRI), Shimla. Besides, financial institutes like NABARD, Punjab & Sind Bank and Punjab National Bank and especially innovative farmers also displayed their products/ technologies in the stalls at CIPHET grounds.



Addressing the gathering, Dr B.S Dhillon showed dissatisfaction on low level of processing and value addition of fruits and vegetables prevailing in the country. "Only 2.2 percent of fruits and vegetable production is processed for value addition in India as compare to 30 percent in Thailand and 80 percent in Phillipines and Malaysia like countries," he said, adding that this when demand for processed foods products are increasing due to rapid urbanization and changing food habits of people.



Stressing that efforts should be made to develop technologies and strategic plans to promote profitability of farmers, Dr Dhillon said that value addition always pays when supported by state of the art technology. "An ordinary bar may cost you only five dollars, if you make needles out of same may fetch you 500 dollars and profit will multiply to the extent of 5 lakh dollars when Swiss watches are made by using latest technology," he said, adding that similar way when potatoes are converted into chips and other processed foods, profit margins get enhanced many hundred times. He suggested that CIPHET and PAU should work together for developing and standardizing various useful technologies.



CIPHET Director Dr R.K Gupta said that they always try to work in close collaboration with farmers and industry for development of technologies. He said that value addition could help to great extent for maintaining profitability in agriculture. Dr S.K Nanda, Project Coordinator (PHT), revealed about work carried under All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) at national level.



Head Transfer of Technology Division, Dr Deepak Raj Rai, said that their effort was to bring industry, ICAR institutes, agriculture universities and innovators farm technologies under one roof, so that farmers/entrepreneurs could get maximum benefit. Dr M.S Gill, Director Extension, PAU, said that post harvest sector was very crucial for increasing income of farmers. ICAR institutes including CIPHET had always adopted need based consortium model for the development of techologies,\" said, Ex Dean and Professor PAU, Dr S.R Verma.



Dr Sangeeta Chopra, Senior Scientist, coordinated the event and other senior members of CIPHET faculty were also present on the occasion. Visitors showed keen interest in the training programmes conducted by innovative farmers on processing of aonla and alovera using portable multipurpose processing unit and processing and cultivation of mushrooms. Dr R.K Mahey, Registrar, PAU, was also present on the occasion.
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