Punjab Agricultural University organises sessions on reducing post-harvest losses, food wastage

The Department of Processing and Food Engineering, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), conducted a series of training sessions on ‘Reducing Post-harvest Losses and Food Wastages’ in collaboration with the varisty’s Skill Development Centre and the Punjab Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (PAMETI). The sessions were held under the aegis of the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Post-harvest Engineering and Technology. A total of 39 participants attended the training, which focused on tutorials, exposure visits and hands-on training.

Dr MS Alam, Principal Scientist and scheme in-charge of AICRP on PHET, in his introductory address, gave an overview of use of agro-processing complex to combat post-harvest losses. Dr Alam talked about the concept of agro-processing complexes in getting quality products, reducing post-harvest losses and generating employment for the rural youth and promoting diversification in agriculture, besides improving their economic and social status. He also encouraged the trainees to adopt honey processing at the domestic scale and use the facilities in the department for exploring livelihood opportunities in the agro-processing sector.

Dr Sandhya, senior scientist, demonstrated the techniques that involved reduction of post-harvest losses and food wastages of food grains, and highlighted the machines developed in the department.