Food is an integral part of human survival.
But in next three days, Tezpur University will take the issue of food safety and food security to a different level.
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More than 50 scientists and over 200 participants from across the country is participating in the 27th Indian Convention of Food Scientists and Technologists (ICFoST).
Also read: Assam: Tezpur University to host mega food convention
Association of Food Scientists & Technologists (India), AFST (I), Tezpur Chapter on Thursday kick started the three-day mega convention hosted by the Department of Food Engineering and Technology, Tezpur University.
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The theme of the year for the convention is ‘Raising Agro-processing and Integrated Novel Technologies for Boosting Organic Wellness (RAINBOW)’.
“The theme RAINBOW has been meticulously chosen with the intent of integrating the organic capital of our country – North East India into the central chain of food safety and food processing, thereby propagating agro-processing and novel technologies to boost organic wellness,” said Dr A K Singh, distinguished scientist and director general (Life Science), DRDO.
He was delivering the inaugural address as the chief guest.
“All over the world ‘organic’ has been a premium enticing word for industry, market and the overall well-being of ecosystem,” he also said.
“It is therefore imperative to discuss the novel technologies developed across the academia, industry and agriculture sector for increasing the overall processing of agriculture commodities,” he added.
He further said local farmers need confidence and the confidence will come through awareness and the industry need to relook the technology needed for them as large-scale machinery is not suitable for small-scale business.
Earlier Dr D D Wadikar, honorary secretary, AFST (I), introduced the august gathering about the functioning of AFST(I).
It is one of the largest professional and educational organizations, with around 3500 members of food scientists and technologists, across the globe.
“The major objective of AFST (I) is to stimulate and advance knowledge base on various aspects of food science and technology,” Dr Wadikar said.
Later inaugurating the poster session, Dr Anil Dutt Semwal, director, DRDO-DFRL, Mysuru hoped that the conference will be the Rainbow for students specifically from farmer communities and food science and technology programmes so as to bring in organic wellness and prosperity to their processed and fresh foods.
During the convention, over 50 leading food scientists, researchers and policy makers across the country (CFTRI, Mysuru, DRDO, New Delhi, DFRL, Mysuru, IIT, Kharagpur, IIFPT, Thanjaour, NIFTEM, Sonipat and SLIET and many more) is expected to share their experience and knowledge and the young students will share their innovative ideas to fulfill the objectives of the conference.
The food industry experts from across the country (Exelon Foodbio Advisors Private Limited, Mumbai, Marico Mumbai, Kaleesuwari Refinery Private Limited, Chennai, Food Ingredient Specialities Private Limited, Chennai, Adani-Wilmar, Suhana, FIL and Johnson & Johnsen) are also attending the conference for bridging the gap between academia and industry.
NABARD and FSSAI is also actively participating in the event.
“Besides, the student & scientific community, we have requested the local entrepreneurs of the region to share their experience during the next 3 days,” Prof Sankar Chandra Deka, local organizing committee said.
“The convention is giving us an opportunity to bring on board local entrepreneurs, who are working in the food processing industries,” he added.
A food and wellness expo is also organized during the convention, where different organizers related to food industries are displaying their array of expertise.