Food processing unit launched at GNDU

Pushing for advancing research, innovation and entrepreneurship in food technology, Guru Nanak Dev University today inaugurated a state-of-the-art food processing unit at the Dietetics and Nutrition Division, Department of Agriculture, GNDU. The facility established under RUSA 2.0 (Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan) and spearheaded by the Golden Jubilee Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (GJCEI), was inaugurated by Prof Karamjeet Singh, vice-chancellor, GNDU.

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Highlighting the significance of the initiative, Prof Karamjeet Singh said that the facility is among the few in India offering an end-to-end food processing ecosystem — from handling raw material to market-ready product development. He emphasised its role in fostering sustainable, innovative food solutions and supporting agri-preneurs and startups in establishing viable businesses in the food processing sector.

Dr PK Pati, Head of the Department of Agriculture and Coordinator for the Centre for Agricultural Research and Innovation (CARI), elaborated on the unit’s capabilities. He noted that the facility houses a line extruder for continuous food production, enabling the manufacturing of breakfast cereals, snack foods, pet food, pasta, noodles and textured vegetable proteins. He further emphasised its potential to strengthen industry collaborations, improve food quality and sustainability, and serve as a premier training hub for students, researchers and entrepreneurs.

The inauguration was attended by renowned scientists, Dr Renu Wadhwa and Dr Sunil Kaul from the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan, alongside faculty members, students and staff from the agriculture department. “With this initiative, GNDU continues to reinforce its commitment to research excellence, industry partnerships and groundbreaking advancements in agri-food processing,” said Dr Pati.