CIPHET-IIFA & Kisan Mela 2023, aimed at fostering innovation in agro-processing, officially inaugurated

Ludhiana, October 3, 2023: The Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET) is delighted to announce the successful inauguration of CIPHET-IIFA 2023 - Industry Interface Fair on Agro-processing & Kisan Mela as a part of the celebrationg its 35th Foundation Day. This momentous event took place on October 3, 2023, and was graced by distinguished dignitaries, including Dr. S.N. Jha, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Engineering) ICAR, Chief Guest; Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice Chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana as Guest of Honour. Dr K Narsaiah, ADG (Agril. Engg), ICAR; Dr R T Patil, Former Director, ICAR-CIPHET;  Dr. H S Jat, Director, ICAR-IIMR; Dr. P Sheoran, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Ludhiana;; Dr. D.B. Shakyawar, Director, ICAR-NINFET, Kolkata; Dr. Abhijit Kar, ICAR-NISA, Ranchi were also present during the inauguration ceremony.

Dr. S N Jha emphasized the limited adoption of mechanization in agriculture and the necessity to introduce these technologies to farmers through the establishment of a Directorate of Agricultural Engineering. This proposed directorate would employ B. Tech Agricultural Engineers to demonstrate mechanized farming techniques. Dr. Ghosal shed light on the post-harvest sector, which has the potential to significantly increase farmers' income, potentially multiplying it manifold. He amply emphasised importance of primary processing and on-farm processing so that farmers’ realize higher benefit. Dr. H S Jat urged farmers in Punjab to diversify their agricultural practices by cultivating crops such as maize, and also incorporating value-addition techniques into their production processes. Dr. P Sheoran stressed the importance of farmers shifting their perspective from solely focusing on crop production to viewing agriculture as a business. He highlighted that processing plays a crucial role in this transition. 

Dr. K Narsaiah emphasized India's potential to become a major global food producer and the increasing recognition of the significance of processing and value addition by policymakers.Dr. R T Patil pointed out the substantial export market potential for processed and value-added agricultural products in Punjab. He highlighted ICAR-CIPHET as an institute capable of providing technical guidance to boost entrepreneurs' confidence in establishing food-related businesses.

The CIPHET-IIFA & Kisan Mela 2023 event is set to play a pivotal role in fostering collaborations between the agricultural processing and farming communities. ICAR-CIPHET, a pioneering institution in post-harvest technology research and development, has consistently championed innovation in sustainable agricultural practices and agro-processing.
This remarkable event will run till October 5, 2023, at our esteemed institution, bringing together luminaries and stakeholders from the agricultural and agro-processing sectors. The key highlights of CIPHET-IIFA 2023 encompass various activities, including the Kisan Mela, an Industry Interface Meet focusing on food processing and fiber processing technology, knowledge sharing, networking opportunities, and the exploration of business prospects.
Throughout the fair, several primer institutions such as CIPHET, NINFET, IIMR, CIRCOT, NIFTEM,PAU & GADVASU in collaboration with farmers and entrepreneurs from diverse regions, showcased a wide array of technologies. These technologies encompassed post-harvest and value-addition techniques and were exhibited on over 80 stalls. Additionally, visitors had the opportunity to explore and purchase various value-added products, including gluten-free bakery items, extruded snacks, and innovative products based on millets, handicrafts, among others. COFEAM is an active partner in organizing this mela.

During the event, the institute also recognized the dedicated service of its staff members who had completed 10 and 25 years of service. Furthermore, four publications were released on this occasion. A notable achievement at the event was the licensing of the technology "Buckwheat dehuller" developed by ICAR-CIPHET to a Ludhiana-based firm, Maninder Singh. In addition, Memoranda of Agreement (MoAs) were signed with three entrepreneurs for the incubation of technologies related to "Makhana-based pasta production" and "Kodo millet processing." An additional MoU was signed for the testing of a "multi-juice machine" during this significant occasion.

Dr. Nachiket Kotwaliwale, Director of ICAR-CIPHET, shared his excitement about the event, stating, "CIPHET-IIFA 2023 is a significant stride towards empowering our farming community and propelling the agro-processing industry to greater heights" and promised to extend all kinds of possible assistance from the institute to the farmers, entrepreneurs, and different stakeholders engaged in the line of post-harvest engineering and technology. 

Dr. A U Muzaddadi, Head (A), ToT Division, thanked all the visitors and experts for their active participation and invited all stakeholders including media, to come together to create a sustainable future for agriculture and agro-processing.