Kerala   

Boost to food processing initiatives

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Kinfra), in association with the Kerala State Industries Development Corporation (KSIDC), the Directorate of Industries and Commerce (DIC) and the Kerala Bureau of Industrial Promotion (KBIP), will hold a one-day programme on ‘Possibilities in Food Processing – Towards a better linkage between Agriculture and Food Processing’ at the Vyapara Bhavan at Kuttiyadi in Kozhikode on April 7.

Food Processing is one area that is considered to hold tremendous potential for both agriculture and industrial sectors. ‘Food,’ along with its related sectors, constitutes an important part of economy of the State/country, thereby having a perennial impact and relevance in the policy formulations of the government. Hence it continues to be in focus as one of the thrust areas for development and growth of the economy.

The growth of the food processing industry would result in crop diversification, value-addition, shelf-life enhancement, reduction of wastages, availability of hygienic food to consumers at affordable prices and generation of employment, thus benefitting the farmers, processors, consumers and the economy as a whole.

The Industries Department has been making renewed efforts to boost the food processing initiatives in the State. It is as part of this serious endeavour that Kinfra is organising the programme.

Salinda Dissanayake, Minister of Coconut Development and Nation Development, Sri Lanka, has consented to participate in the programme and will lead an eight-member delegation. The presentations on ‘Value Addition in Coconut Processing Sector’ will be made by Thomas Mathew, Coconut Development Board; ‘Agriculture and Food Processing — Development Perspective’ by Shaji Zachariah, deputy general manager, NABARD; ‘Value Addition Opportunities in Primary Processing — CFTRI Experience’ by Nambiar, CFTR; ‘Value Addition in Food Processing — NIST Experience’ by C Arumughan, RRL; ‘Value Addition in Food Processing — CTCRI experience’ by M. S. Sajeev, senior scientist CTCRI; ‘Coconut Processing — Non-Edible Products’ by K. Madhavan, principal scientist, CPCRI; ‘Importance of Packaging in Food Processing’ by R. Kolappan, Assistant Director, Indian Institute of Packaging; and ‘Growth through Clusters’ by A.K. Krishnakumar IL&FS Cluster Development Initiative Ltd.

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