PAU conducts training of beneficiaries on subject of bakery and confectionary for capacity building under PMFME Scheme

Ludhiana, August 23, 2021: The State Nodal Agency-Punjab Agro and State Level Technical Institute-Department of Processing & Food Engineering and Department of Food & Nutrition Conducted six-day training programme on “Bakery and Confectionery” for beneficiaries of Ludhiana District as per ODOP plan under the guidance of Directorate of Extension Education, PAU Ludhiana. Thirty beneficiaries out of the forty-eight applications received in response to the advertisement in the local newspaper were selected. The training programme was inaugurated by Dr Jaskarn Singh Mahal, Director of Extension Education. While interacting with the participants, Dr Mahal while emphasizing the role and opportunities in food processing and value addition sector. He cautioned the trainees about public perception and concern about adulteration and food safety aspects. He explained that most of the time small scale food processing enterprises are taken up as a family legacy. However, it is important that we combine the past experiences with present day technologies and our activities must comply with the necessary rules and regulations as people have the right to consume healthy food. Dean, College of Community Sciences Dr Mrs Sandeep Bains along with Dr Kiran Bains, Head, Department of Food and Nutrition congratulated the trainees and offered full support in providing hands on training at their departments. Dr Sandeep Bains informed their past trainees who are now successful entrepreneurs and created brands in the field of Bakery which is well known throughout the country. Dr Ashok Kumar, Dean College of Agricultural Engineering, expressed satisfaction during his short interaction with trainees that young people and rural youth are now taking interest in this vital sector of food processing that is closely related with agriculture. He offered full support to the trainees and organizers for smooth conduct of this training programme. Dr Jaswinder Kaur Brar (professor), Coordinator of training programme and certified Master Trainer made all the arrangements for successful conduct of proceedings.

It is mentioned that this training programme has the approval of Sh Manjit Singh Brar (IAS) MD, Punjab Agro Industrial Corporation and Special Secretary, Food Processing, Punjab who has provided the necessary funds for the same. The syllabus of the training program has been developed by National Institutes under Ministry of Food Processing, GOI. It comprised of 34 hours of Bakery training and 26 hours of entrepreneurship development. Dr Khushdeep Dharni and Dr Ramandeep Singh Both specialists from School of Business Studies explained How to prepare detailed project reports and branding and marketing aspects of food processing business respectively. Sh Rajneesh Tuli, GM (Food Processing) Punjab specially visited PAU twice during this program and informed the beneficiaries about the PM FME Scheme, its various provisions that offer financial support to the upcoming entrepreneurs. He also demonstrated how an individual proprietary business can apply online to take benefit of the scheme. Sh Jaspreet Singh Khera MT (EDP) & Project Director ATMA, Ludhiana explained importance of regulations regarding Weights and Measurements, GHP etc. and shared about the successful processors in his link. The other noticeable contributor to this training programme from PAU included Dr Navjot Kaur (F&N), Dr Amarjit Kaur, Senior faculty member and expert from Department of Food Science and Technology, Dr Preetinder Kaur (Principal Scientist, Deptt of Processing & Food Engineering), Dr Arashdeep Singh (Extension specialist,Food Technology) and Dr Mahesh Kumar, Head, Department of Processing & Food Engineering.

Senior officials of “Punjab Grameen Bank” specially came from Jalandhar to explain about the Government Schemes available to financially support the Food Processing Sector of Punjab including under PM FME. They explained about the procedures to claim the benefits under multiple schemes being operated by the bank. The training programme culminated with a visit of trainees to upcoming bakery unit at Mega Food Park, Laddowal. Ms R. Jain the owner of the unit named ‘Sweet Temptations” showed all the activities being under taken at their bakery unit. She showed all the products that were prepared there and shared her experiences in establishing her enterprise which now is attracting good public attention. The trainees of this program express their gratitude towards Director of Extension Education and PAU for taking keen interest and care. They were happy with these initiatives to provide platform that address their technical and financial difficulties.