PAU holds training on agro-processing for SCs
The Department of Processing and Food Engineering at the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, under the aegis of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-All India Coordinated Research Project on Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology (AICRP on PHET) organised a one-day training programme titled “Entrepreneurship Development Programme in Agro-Processing for Better Livelihood”. Held at Birmi village, Ludhiana district, under the Scheduled Caste sub plan, the programme catered to 25 SC/ST participants, combining theoretical knowledge with practical demonstrations.
Dr MS Alam, principal scientist and scheme incharge inaugurated the session, emphasising the importance of agro-processing in reducing post-harvest losses, promoting agricultural diversification and creating employment opportunities for rural youth. He encouraged participants to explore ventures like domestic honey processing.
The training featured a range of expert-led sessions where Dr Surekha Bhatia, principal biochemist, demonstrated techniques for producing high-quality jaggery to boost economic returns, Dr Sandhya, senior scientist, showcased small-scale post-harvest processing machinery developed by PAU, Dr Manpreet Kaur Saini, entomologist, shared strategies for effective grain storage to mitigate losses caused by pests, Dr Rohit Sharma, scientist, provided insight into processing machinery for wheat, rice and spices and Dr Gagandeep Kaur, food microbiologist, highlighted the potential of mushroom cultivation and processing.
