Training program on “Value Addition of Cereals and Millets for Nutritional Security”

Ludhiana, March 15, 2023: ICAR–Central Institute of Post–Harvest Engineering and Technology, Ludhiana along with ICAR-ATARI Ludhiana in collaboration with KVK Ludhiana (Samrala) organized a three-days training program on “Value Addition of Cereals and Millets for Nutritional Security” from 13th to 15st March, 2023 under the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan scheme of Government of India.

The program was jointly conducted at ICAR-CIPHET, Ludhiana and KVK, Ludhiana (Samrala). The programme was aimed to strengthen Scheduled Caste poor families and nurture them to initiate activities in the field of cereals, and millets processing with special emphasis on value added food products. Fifty Scheduled caste participants with over 90% women participants from villages Rahaun, Bharthala and Bhagwanpura of tehsil, Samrala, district Ludhiana have participated in the program. 
The training program was Coordinated by Dr Manju Bala, Principal Scientist ICAR-CIPHET Ludhiana, Dr. Preeti Mamgai, Principal Scientist, ICAR-ATARI, Ludhiana, Dr Surya and Dr Swati Sethi, Scientist from ICAR-CIPHET Ludhiana along with  Dr. Prerna Kapila, Assistant Professor from KVK Samrala. The skill development program provided hands-on training on primary processing of food grains such as milling of millets, and cereals, pasta making, bakery products from millets (biscuits and muffins from finger millet), extruded and popped products from coarse cereals like pearl millet and sorghum. The experts from all the three organizations delivered lectures during the training program on various government schemes and marketing strategies. 

The valedictory program was chaired by Dr. G P S Sodhi, Additional Director of Extension Education, PAU, Ludhiana and Dr. Satbir Singh Deputy Director (Training) KVK Ludhiana (Samrala). Dr. Preeti summarized the activities held during the three days event. Dr. Manju Bala, Program Coordinator, highlighted that the processing facilities of ICAR-CIPHET can be utilized by interested participants to initiate entrepreneurial activities; and attain experience for entering into the processing field.  She also motivated the participants to form FPO/groups and start processing in the area of millet processing and value addition. Dr. Sodhi informed the farmers about the international year of millets and shed light on the need of the cultivation, processing and storage practices for millets. Dr. Satbir highlighted the importance of millets and urged the participants to include millets in their diet. A training manual on the subject was also released and distributed to the participants for knowledge sharing. A formal vote of thanks was given by Dr. Prerna Kapila.