There is a need to help the farmers to get better returns for their produce, to provide better quality, safe and branded foods to the consumers, to emphasize primary and secondary processing, to reduce post harvest losses and reduction of import and meeting export demands. An attempt has been made by Extension Education Institute to organize On-Campus training programs. Hence as part of the regular schedule of EEI a five day on-campus training program was planned with Department of Agriculture and Horticulture to improve the knowledge and skill of the extension functionaries in the area on “Promotion of Technologies and extension Strategies for Value Addition and Post Harvest Technologies” The on-campus training program on Post Harvest Management, Value Addition, Packing and Product Promotion in Agri and Horticulture sectors for Agriculture and Horticulture officers of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Odisha state was conducted by EEI, Hyderabad from 20th to 24th June, 2023 at Extension Education Institute, Hyderabad. Thirty-one participants from the four states attended the program which was coordinated by Dr. S. Chandrashekar, Professors, EEI. The program saw active participation from thirty-one participants representing various Departments like Agriculture, Agriculture Engineering and Horticulture and states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha and Tamil Nadu in the agri and horticulture sectors, including University scientists. The diverse backgrounds and experiences of the participants fostered engaging discussions and valuable knowledge exchange. The five days program was covered with Key topics Covered like Food Processing Industry in India – Initiatives and Promotion Post Harvest Technologies/practices in Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers and spices, Branding of Agriculture and Horticulture Commodities and Documentation for exports, Primary and Secondary processing of Millets, Value addition in millets, Food processing – Freezing and cold storage of frozen snacks, Post Harvest Technologies/practices in cereals, pulses and oilseeds, Registration, Grading, Packaging and Licensing of Agriculture Products, Post-Harvest Equipment/ Machinery Developed for Small and Micro Food Processing Enterprises, Post Harvest Technologies/practices in cereals, Millets, Pulses and oilseeds, Support for Agri Startups under PMFME & Success Stories, (Packing of Agri and Horticulture products and Testing of various packing material, Export of fresh Pomegranate Arils, fresh coconut chunks, fresh figs, dried arils), Innovative extension methodologies for promotion of post-harvest technologies in Agricultural and Horticulture crops, Gender Budgeting for mainstreaming of gender in Agri and Allied Sectors, GOI Schemes, Programs, Initiatives in Agri and Allied Sectors. To enhance the practical understanding of participants, the training program included Visits to Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, VH Agro Foods Private Limited Uppal, Hyderabad and visit to Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), Sanathnagar, Hyderabad. These visits provided participants with an opportunity to apply their learnings in real-life scenarios and develop practical skills in post-harvest management and value addition. We were privileged to have renowned experts and professionals as speakers and facilitators throughout the training program. Their rich experience and knowledge in the subject matter greatly contributed to the effectiveness and quality of the sessions. The training program received overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants, who expressed their satisfaction with the content, delivery, and organization of the program. Many participants highlighted the practicality of the sessions and their relevance to the current challenges faced in the agri and horticulture sectors. The program successfully equipped participants with new skills, knowledge, and innovative approaches to improve post-harvest management practices, add value to their produce, and enhance market competitiveness. The valedictory program was chaired by Dr. m. Jagan Mohan Reddy, Director, EEI, on 24th June, 2023, who mentioned that Value addition and Post Harvest Management of Agriculture products is the need of the hour. He further mentioned that though Agriculture is contributing to 16% of India’s GDP, its income from exports is very low due to low value addition. This can be enhanced through proper post harvest Management and value addition which will bring huge profits to farmers.
Read more: https://www.pjtsau.edu.in/training-eer-hyd-pjtsau-24-07-2023.html
