Promotion of Food Processing Industries

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN PROCESSED FOOD SECTOR             In order to promote research and development in processed food sector, Ministry of Food Processing Industries is implementing a Scheme namely ‘Quality Assurance, Codex, R&D and Other Promotional Activities’. Research and Development is one of the components of this scheme. The objective of the scheme is that the end product / outcome / findings of R&D work should benefit Food Processing Industry in terms of product and process development, improved preservation, packaging, storage and distribution technologies, value addition, standardization of additives, coloring agents, preservatives, pesticide residues, etc. with focus on enhancement of production, quality, consumer safety, public health and trade.             All Universities, IITs, Central / State Government Institutions, Public FundedOrganisations, R&D laboratories and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) recognized R&D units in private sector are eligible for grant-in-aid under this scheme.             The scheme is being implemented by Science & Engineering Research Board (SERB), under Department of Science and Technology w.e.f. 01.04.2012.             Ministry of Food Processing Industries implemented a Scheme for Human Resource Development (HRD) in the Food Processing Sector in 11th Plan. This Scheme focusses on developing technologists, managers, entrepreneurs and manpower for quality management in food processing. Under the scheme, assistance is provided for Creation of Infrastructure facilities in academic institutions for degree/diploma course in food technology and for setting up of Food Processing Training Centres (FPTC) and Entrepreneurship Development Programmes.              There are also two academic-cum-research institutions under this Ministry viz. National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) at Kundli, Sonepat, Haryana and the Indian Institute of Crop Processing Technology (IICPT) at Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, which offer academic programmes at Bachelors, Masters and Ph.D. level courses in Food Processing. The institutes are also conducting short term training courses.             During the 12th Five Year Plan, the HRD Scheme has been subsumed under the National Mission on Food Processing (NMFP), for implementation through State/UT Governments.