'Food processing industry can boost employment generation' - Dr B K Yadav

Guwahati: "Food processing industry can be boost for employment generation in the State of Assam," said Dr B K Yadav, Professor and HOD, Department of Food Packaging & System Development, Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology (IIFPT) while speaking at a conference 'Assam Food Tech Conclave, here organized on Tuesday by Indian Chamber of Commerce.

Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology (IIFPT) has taken a no of initiatives to enhance the process of entrepreneurship in the food processing sector. Food processing sector is a sunrise sector for the country and can generate 10 times of employment than any other industry, increasing the farmer prosperity.

India is a world leader in many agri horti produces like mango, milk etc and can be a world leader in processed food variety also. Countries like Malaysia is processing 80% of its agriculture produce while it is only 20% in India. The State of Assam is losing thousands of money because of post harvest losses. North is a paradise of many unique products like king chilly etc and many of its products has got the geographical indication tags. Geographical Indication can really help in international marketing of the products.

Charu Lata Mahanta, Professor, Department of Food Engineering and Technology, Tezpur University who was also present in the conclave said processing of traditional food items is also important. Products like have many traditional varieties like black rice, joha rice, red rice etc. Till now processing is happening only at the milling level whereas many nutraceutical products can be derived from it. Tertiary processing of rice can fetch really high value for the farmers. These technologies are available with the industry and entrepreneurs can utilize them with proper training, stated a press release.

Also read: Assam news