Farm varsity launches village adoption programme to empower communities

Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur, and the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Kundli (NIFTEM-K), Haryana, have jointly launched the Village Adoption Programme (VAP) under the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan. The Palampur Municipal Corporation and Mehnja village have been adopted for the initiative, aiming to empower communities through education and skill development.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Naveen Kumar highlighted the collaboration involving Dr. Anju Kapoor, Nodal Officer of Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, along with 19 Food Technology and Management students from NIFTEM, Haryana, guided by Dr. Rajni Chopra and Dr. Nitin Kumar. Over ten days, the team conducted awareness drives and workshops addressing hygiene, health, food safety, drug addiction, and packaging techniques.

Villagers were trained in household methods to detect food adulteration, and self-help groups (SHGs) were introduced to preservation techniques for local products such as jams, chutneys, and lemonade. NIFTEM students and SHG members exchanged knowledge during interactive sessions featuring traditional Himachali products like seera, bedwin roti, and bamboo shoot pickle.

The programme facilitated the Annapurna Group in obtaining an FSSAI license and created a nutrition label for the “Himachali Foodie Queen” brand. Other achievements included market surveys for pickles, compiling traditional recipes, and encouraging women entrepreneurs to formalize their businesses with FSSAI and GST licences.

In collaboration with CSIR-IHBT, the team explored pilot plant facilities, guided by Dr Ashok Pathera, who provided insights into food technology innovations. Cultural exchanges enriched students’ understanding of the region, fostering appreciation for local traditions and cuisine.

Community-centric activities like Swachhata Abhiyan at Government High School Mehnja and a Nasha Mukti Nukkad Natak at Government Girls Senior Secondary School Palampur addressed pressing social issues. The initiative demonstrated the transformative potential of education and collaboration, paving the way for sustainable community development.