Harvesting innovation: Palampur varsity, NIFTEM-K join hands for research push

The Vice-Chancellor of Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya (CSKHPKV), Prof Naveen Kumar, announced the university has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management-Kundli (NIFTEM-K), based in Sonipat, Haryana. He said the agreement aims to strengthen ongoing collaborations between the two institutions.

The MoU was formally signed by Dr Ranji Chopra, Head of the Department of Food Technology at NIFTEM-K.

The partnership between CSKHPKV and NIFTEM-K, which began in 2023, has focused on women’s empowerment, the promotion of food processing technologies and capacity-building initiatives. These efforts are primarily delivered through the Village Adoption Programme of the Department of Extension Education and Communication Management, College of Community Science, at CSKHPKV. The collaboration supports the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan initiatives under the Ministry of Education, Government of India and is reported to be making a significant grassroots impact.

Under the new agreement, both institutions would collaborate on joint research and extension initiatives to develop and disseminate innovative solutions for the agriculture and food industries. The MoU would also provide students with training and skill development opportunities through student exchange programmes. Faculty members from both institutions would benefit from shared expertise and collaborative research ventures.

In addition, the institutions would jointly organise conferences, seminars and workshops to encourage knowledge sharing and academic engagement.

The MoU signing ceremony was described as a landmark moment in the long-standing association between CSKHPKV and NIFTEM-K. The expanded partnership is expected to enhance research capacity, promote sustainable practices and advance rural development through academic excellence in agriculture and food science

and technology.