Food processing to check post-harvest loss: UAS V-C

UAS Vice-Chancellor D P Biradar has opined that it is essential to adopt proper food processing techniques to reduce the post-harvest loss.

He noted this while speaking after inaugurating a two-day conference on ‘Food Process Engineering Technology’ organised by Institution of Engineers local chapter in Dharwad on Friday.

He said, our country being mainly agrarian, it is required that we add value to the agriculture produces so that the farmers get an increase in their income. This value addition is to be done by employing modern engineering & technology approaches in agriculture produces.

Food processing and the corresponding technology is to be given due importance, he said.

Dr Biradar called for making such new technology approaches available economically and easily to small and medium farmers who otherwise find it difficult and impossible to make investment towards this effect.

He further opined that in the recent past, interest towards food processing technology is increasing which is a positive development, and added that the UAS is taking proactive steps for encouraging and supporting R&D activities in this sector.

Presiding over the inaugural session, Institution of Engineers Chairman M Narayan said, this conference is being held to mark the Golden Jubilee year celebrations of IEI, Dharwad Chapter.

Dr M R Kappali, Dr R C Hallikeri, Prof S S Navalgund, Dr Ramesh Chakrasali, Vijay Totiger, and others also spoke.

The conference has received overwhelming response from faculty and students with more than 40 papers being presented.