Food Value Chain – A Prime Focus For Agripreneurs At PAU

Ludhiana, July 10, 2023: Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, a pioneer institute, has come a long way in serving stakeholders, providing commercialized technologies to entrepreneurs and industries for societal betterment. This complex yet rewarding journey of developing technology for specific products is resource-intensive, but yields fruitful outcomes and has potential for industrial scaling.

The Vice-Chancellor of PAU, Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, unveiled the immense potential of scaling up research-based technologies through successful commercialization. He praised the unwavering dedication of the PAU team and their fruitful collaborations with diverse stakeholders. Dr. Gosal urged interested parties to acquire these transformative technologies from PAU, emphasizing their role in ensuring widespread food safety and security. Such endeavours, he affirmed, would undoubtedly propel the region's socio-economic development to new heights.

Stressing the growing demand among the entrepreneurs, especially start-ups, Dr Gurmeet Singh Buttar, Director of Extension Education, emphasized the importance of universities developing and commercializing prospective technologies in frontier areas to meet future consumer demands. Dr. Buttar revealed that food processing, driven by the ever-increasing consumer demand for diverse food options, has remained a prime focus for entrepreneurs.

The Director of Research, Dr Ajmer Singh Dhatt, briefed about the manoeuvrability of the food science and technology using emerging techniques to create valuable products from farm produce, benefitting farmers. He pointed out that these innovations could lead to eco-friendly technologies, making it easier to develop a wide range of products with enhanced properties. Dr. Dhatt also noted that such advancements would improve food quality, nutritive value, safety, and overall wholesomeness.

Dr Savita Sharma Head, Department of Food Science and Technology drew attention towards the significance of commercializing technologies in this field to cater to the needs of health-conscious consumers. The availability of readily-commercialized food technologies proves beneficial for emerging enterprises, start-ups, and industries seeking to diversify and enhance their existing products. It serves as a blessing for those looking to meet the ever-evolving demands of the market, she added.

Notably, PAU leads in developing and commercializing technologies from Punjab's agri-produce. The Food Science and Technology Department plays a vital role, bridging the gap between research and implementable food technologies. With a focus on sustainability, safety, and nutrition, the department has created groundbreaking technologies addressing industry challenges. They include preservation techniques that extend shelf life while preserving nutrition and sensory attributes. PAU emphasizes commercializing these technologies for maximum impact on the food industry and society.

Dr. Ramandeep Singh, Director of the School of Business Studies, revealed that PAU has forged strong partnerships with industry, entrepreneurs, investors, and other stakeholders. They have successfully showcased branded products with appealing packaging, aligning with changing consumer preferences. PAU promotes commodity value chains and marketing strategies through collective bargaining with associations like the Progressive Beekeepers Association and PAU Kisan Club. Additionally, they encourage concepts such as on-farm markets, social media marketing, rural and urban Kisan Bazars, and mobile van door-to-door sales. PAU's Skill Development Centre,under the guidance of its Associate Director, Dr Rupinder Kaur, integrates these initiatives into their comprehensive training programs, he concluded.

In consonance with the idea of commercializing technologies among agripreneurs, sorghum cake developed by Mr. Swaroop Singh, a PAU Kisan Club member, was introduced in the presence of the Vice-Chancellor and his team where nutrient facts recipe and product label were showcased.