Awantipora: One Day workshop on Food Processing was organized at the Islamic University of Science and Technology today. The focus of the workshop was on themes like “Food Processing: Opportunity & Challenge- Innovative Ideas & Novel Concept for Startups” and “Quality Enhancement of Functional Foods using Extrusion Technology”.
The resource persons of the workshop wereProf. H.N Mishra (IIT Kharagpur Agriculture and food engineering) and Prof. Pradyuman Kumar (SLIET Longwol, Food Engineering, and Technology). The workshop was presided over by Prof A.H Moon (Dean School of engineering and technology) and coordinated by Dr. Tariq Ahmad Ganaie (HOD Food Technology)
Referring to India as a global hub for various food industries, Prof. Mishra said, “Food processing industry in India is unmatchable, and there are enormous prospects for its growth and expansion in the country”. He further said that India has great potential for emerging as the major exporter to the global food market if the contemporary challenges are efficiently worked out. He believed that academic and research institutions have a significant role to play inmaximizing the potential of the Food industry in India.He also spoke at length about the novel techniques and robotics being employed in the Food Industry and waste management.
Talking about the scope of food processing for people with special requirements, Prof. Kumar said, “Technologies are being successfully employed in producing food grains like rice for the people with diabetes and other ailments”. He expressed his optimism in the department of Food Technology to undertake high-standard research for offering solutions to the challenges experienced by the Food Industry presently.
Taking about the department of Food Technology at the University, Prof. Moon said that the department has earned laurels and much recognition at the regional and national level as its Food Testing Laboratory (FTL) has now been accredited by the National Accreditation Board (NABL), under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry

KR Desk