Develop technologies for small farmers: Dr Charan Das Mahant

Ludhiana, November 20



Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries Dr Charan Das Mahant today visited the Central Institute of Post Harvest Engineering and Technology to get first hand information regarding research and extension initiatives taken by the institute in the area of post harvest. He was in the city to attend national conference of KVKs jointly organized by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Punjab Agricultural University. Dr NPS Sirohi, ADG (Engg) and Dr V.Venkatasubramanian, ADG (Agriculture Extension) were accompanying him.



Speaking on the occasion, Dr Charan Das Mahant said that government of India has now special focus on food processing industry and CIPHET could play a very important role in this regard. Appreciating survey conducted by the institute in figuring out post harvest losses, he said similar studies should also be carried out in future at large scale. He encouraged scientists to develop technologies and machinery which could help small farmers and enterprise in rural areas.



Dr P.R Bhatnagar, Officiating Director CIPHET, informed the Minister about recent innovations and technologies developed at the institute. "Institute is conducting number of training programmes for development of entrepreneurship in the area of food processing," he added. On the occasion, a films on the research activities initiated by the CIPHET, Leechi peeler and custard apple pulper were screened for the chief guest. He was taken to various research facilities and agro-processing center.



The prominent present on the occasion included Dr Rameshwar Singh, Project Director of Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture; Dr S.N Jha, Head Agriculture Structures and Environment Control Division; Dr SN Jha and Dr Deepak Raj Raj, Head Transfer of Technology Division.


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