The Department of Processing and Food Engineering, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), conducted a series of two trainings on “Reducing Post-harvest Losses and Food Wastages” in collaboration with the Skill Development Centre, PAU; and the Punjab Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (PAMETI), PAU Campus, Ludhiana. Both the trainings were held under the aegis of the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Post-harvest Engineering and Technology. A total of 39 participants attended the training, which focused on tutorials, exposure visits and hands-on training.
Dr MS Alam, Principal Scientist and Scheme In-charge of AICRP on PHET, in his introductory address, gave an overview of use of agro processing complex to combat post-harvest losses. Dr Alam emphasized the concept of agro processing complexes in getting quality products, reducing post-harvest losses, generating employment for the rural youth and promoting diversification in agriculture, besides improving their economic and social status. He also encouraged the trainees to adopt honey processing at domestic scale and use the facilities in the department for exploring livelihood opportunities in the agro processing sector.
Dr Sandhya, Senior Scientist, demonstrated the techniques that involved reduction of post- harvest losses and food wastages of food grains, and highlighted the machines developed in the department.
Dr Manpreet Kaur Saini, Entomologist, apprised the trainees of effective storage techniques for grains to avoid economic losses due to insect-pests.
Dr Rohit Sharma, Scientist, conducted an exposure visit for the trainees to all the developed technologies in the department to combat food losses and wastages.
Dr Surekha Bhatia and Dr Gagandeep Kaur, Food Microbiologist, shared information on quality management to reduce post harvest losses of agricultural produce.
Read more: https://www.pau.edu/index.php?_act=manageEvent&DO=viewEventDetail&dataE=datae&intID=9648
