SRINAGAR, Nov 21: A two day seminar on challenges and opportunities in food processing industries concluded at the Islamic university of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora on Wednesday.
“ASPIRE – A Food Industry Academia Interface” was organised by the Department of Food Technology, IUST.
The event was organized to highlight various opportunities in food sector of state with due emphasis on food processing, food adulteration and detection as per the international standards.
Technical Sessions highlighted the menace of food adulteration. A documentary on traditional methods of food preservation was presented by the students. Speakers from SKUAST–K also threw light on Food Safety Act, adulteration in animal food, various adultrants used in food industry and adulteration in honey.
Vice Chancellor of Kashmir University, Prof Talat Ahmad was the chief guest for the valedictory function.
Ahmad said Jammu and Kashmir was self-sufficient in terms of food production but needs to adopt modern facilities for its preservation.
Extending full support and coordination, he expressed his willingness for mutual collaboration between IUST and the Bio-Technology Department of University of Kashmir for sharing of resources which will benefit students and faculty.
“There are several other technologies by use of which we can preserve our fruit produce for a long time. In Kashmir’s context, the technological advancements in terms of food processing will help increase the storage life of fruits like apple,” Ahmad added.
Vice Chancellor IUST, Professor A R Trag highlighted the various possibilities and career options available in the field of Food Technology.
He said that the food processing has tremendous scope at local as well as the National level.
“Kashmir is a largest producer of Apple, however, due to lack of cold storages and other preserving facilities we incur huge losses every year,” he said.
Registrar IUST, Prof AG Rather, Dean School of Business studies, Prof A R Matoo, Chief Librarian, Prof Wajih Alvi, officials from the district office of department of Science and Technology besides Heads, faculty members and students of various departments were also present at the valedictory function.
