2-day varsity training empowers rural women in food processing

A two-day hands-on training programme on ‘Processing and Value Addition of Fruits and Vegetables’ concluded at Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, where 27 women trainees from Mandi district received practical knowledge on the subject.

Organised by the Department of Food Science and Technology, the training was sponsored by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). This capacity-building initiative aimed to empower rural women by equipping them with technical skills and knowledge to generate livelihood opportunities through fruit and vegetable processing under the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyaan.

The programme was coordinated by Head of Department, Dr Rakesh Sharma, in collaboration with Dr Anil Verma and Dr Abhimanyu Thakur. The training featured interactive sessions and live demonstrations conducted by subject experts and faculty members of the department. Participants were trained in various techniques such as juice and pulp extraction, preparation of fruit-based beverages, fruit bars/leathers (papad), osmotically dried products, jam, chutney, pickles, tomato sauce and ketchup making.

The concluding session, led by Dr Rakesh Sharma, focused on key aspects related to the establishment of small-scale fruit processing units. He also provided valuable insights into food safety, quality standards and regulatory licensing procedures. The session concluded with feedback from participants, who expressed their enthusiasm and appreciation for the practical training.

The university regularly organises such training programmes, which not only help in enhancing the skills of rural women but also contribute to self-employment, income generation and better utilisation of local horticultural produce.