ICAR-CIPHET Industry Interface Meet and Agro-Processing & Food Processing Fair 2024 Inaugurated to Boost Innovation

Ludhiana, October 3, 2024: The Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET) is delighted to announce the successful inauguration of CIPHET-IIFA 2024 - Industry Interface Fair on Agro-processing & Food Processing Fair as a part of the celebrating its 36th Foundation Day. 

This momentous event took place on Thursday, and was graced by distinguished dignitaries, including Dr. Sukhpal Singh, Chairman, Punjab State Farmers’ Commission, Chief Guest; Dr. S.N. Jha, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Engineering) ICAR, Chairman of the programme; Dr. Nawab Ali, Former Deputy Director General (Agricultural Engineering) ICAR, as Guest of Honour. Dr K Narsaiah, ADG (Agril. Engg), ICAR; Dr. H S Jat, Director, ICAR-IIMR; Shri Balwinder Singh, Circle Head, Axis Bank were also present during the inauguration ceremony. Dr Ranjeet Singh, Head, ToT Division and Convenor of the event welcomed all the dignitaries to the event.

Dr. Sukhpal Singh highlighted the Punjab government's efforts in advancing agriculture and post-harvest activities. A key initiative in this regard is the division of Punjab into four regions, each focused on promoting region-specific agricultural products and positioning them in the global market. 

Dr. S.N. Jha highlighted the need to establish a Directorate of Agricultural Engineering to promote mechanization and post-harvest technologies at the village level. He introduced the concept of a Village Economic Zone, which integrates agricultural production, processing, and marketing to ensure the sustainable development of the agricultural sector. 

Dr. Nawab Ali emphasized the transformative potential of the post-harvest sector in significantly increasing farmers' incomes, advocating for the creation of agro-processing centers in production areas to help farmers secure higher profits. 

Dr. K. Narsaiah underscored the vast entrepreneurial opportunities in the post-harvest sector, particularly in empowering women and youth through employment. 

Dr. H.S. Jat stressed that processing is crucial for doubling farmers' incomes and called for all ICAR commodity-based institutions to establish dedicated post-harvest technology departments. Shri Balwinder Singh highlighted on the various efforts undertaken by Axis bank for promoting entrepreneurs and farmers.

The CIPHET-IIFA & Food Processing Fair 2024 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, 2024, at our esteemed institution, bringing together luminaries and stakeholders from the agricultural and agro-processing sectors. The key highlights of CIPHET-IIFA 2024 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. Another standout feature of the event is Techno-Food Hackathon Version 1.0, where student start-ups are provided the opportunity to present their ideas, engage with experts, and pitch to investors.

Throughout the fair, several primer institutions such as CIPHET, CIAE, NINFET, IIMR, CIRCOT, PAU & AICRP on PHET Centres 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 100 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, Grand Thorton, Axis Bank, Verka, Invest Punjab, Start Up Punjab, PSCST are the active partners 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, five publications were released on this occasion. In addition, Memoranda of Agreement (MoAs) were signed with three entrepreneurs for the incubation of technologies related to "Oil expulsion" and "Animal Feed Plant." 

Dr. Nachiket Kotwaliwale, Director of ICAR-CIPHET, shared his excitement about the event, stating, "CIPHET-IIFA 2024 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. Sandeep Mann, Head, AS&EC 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.