IICPT, CSIR sign MoU for research and curriculum development

Both the institutes are working on post-harvest technology

The Indian Institute of Crop Processing Technology (IICPT), Thanjavur, and the CSIR Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, have jointly resolved to collaborate and synergise their efforts in research and curriculum development. The two premier post harvest technology and value addition research organisations signed a memorandum of understanding here on Friday.

The Director of CFTRI Prof. Ram Rajasekharan and IICPT Director Dr. K. exchanged copies of the MoU.

The MoU would pave the way for research collaboration and complementing each other in specific areas of strength while the CFTRI would help IICPT in designing and developing curriculum of academic courses, besides arranging guest lectures.

The MoU envisaged student exchange programmes for a deeper and wider understanding of the subjects and synergise energies that were the fruits of research.

Outlining the strengths of CFTRI, Prof. Rajasekharan told The Hindu that the primary focus was on developing post harvest process technology especially in unique areas such as application of nanotechnology, bio informatics tools to find out bio molecules in food such as reducing the metformin in intake.

The CFTRI was working on bio polymers from plant sources and was vigorously involved in finding alternative to sunflower oil and in converting oil into powder form. The institute provided technological support to entrepreneurs and industries in value addition and innovation, Prof. Rajasekharan added.

IICPT Director Dr. Singaravadivel pointed out that his institution was tasked with basic, applied, and adoptive research in post-harvest processing, preservation, and value addition of cereal grains, pulses, millets and oilseeds besides crops of wetland and storm-prone regions. The IICPT offered analytical services to food industries and research institutes for testing food and other organic samples. Training was given to academicians to upgrade their skills besides promoting growth of new food industry.

The MoU with the CFTRI would help impart the much-desired thrust in cutting edge technologies in the field of food processing and value addition. The agreement could be a boon to the academics and consequently to the entrepreneurs and farmers, he said.