Dimapur, August 25 (MExN): The Medziphema Central Institute of Horticulture, Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) under the centre’s Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, organized a four-day online training on the ‘Prospects of Processing and Entrepreneurship’ from August 19-22 for farmers, rural youth, students and entrepreneurs.
The online training started with a brief remark about CIH and its post harvest management activities by Vinika K Aomi (Post Harvest Technologist, CIH), a press release informed.
Dr NK Patle, Deputy Commissioner, Horticulture and Director of CIH encouraged the trainees to learn in-depth and understand the benefits of value addition and processing of horticultural crops. The Director also highlighted on the various schemes available under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) for setting up of processing units in the region.
The resource persons for the training were Dr Anju K Dhiman (Professor and Head, Dept of food science and technology, Dr YSP University of Horticulture & Forestry, Himachal Pradesh), Dr MK Salooja (Professor School of Agriculture, IGNOU University, Delhi), Dr Ivi Chakraborty (Professor Dept. of Post Harvest Technology of Horti Crops, BCKV, West Bengal), Dr Somesh Sharma (Associate Professor, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering and Food technology at Shoolini University Himachal Pradesh) and Dr S Ruth Assumi (Scientist, Division of Horticulture, ICAR)
The topics covered during the four days included prospects of pineapple and jackfruit processing, avenues for value addition and processing in pumpkin, value addition of underutilized fruits in NE India, prospects ahead for fruit wine/vinegar industry in NE India and packaging of value added products from fruits and vegetables, the release stated.
After every session, there were discussion hours with the resource persons, where the participants voiced their doubts and queries.
The online training concluded with the final remarks and a vote of thanks by the Director of CIH who thanked the resource persons for their valuable inputs. He also encouraged the participants to venture into the food processing sector, the release stated.
Altogether 100 participants comprising of rural youths, entrepreneurs, food processing enthusiasts and food technology students registered and attended the online training.
