SHILLONG, OCT 23: A delegation of senior journalists from Meghalaya and Tripura visited the CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) in Mysuru, as part of a press tour organised by the Press Information Bureau, Shillong. The tour aimed to enhance media engagement with premier national research institutions and spotlight innovations that hold transformative potential for the North Eastern Region.
During the visit, the journalists were briefed by Dr. Ramesh Kumar, Senior Scientist, on the institute’s legacy, milestones, and impact across India’s food technology sector. CFTRI has developed over 1,000 food technologies, issued over 4,100 industrial licenses, and currently has around 400 ready-for-transfer technologies available to entrepreneurs and startups. Its focus spans the entire food value chain, from crop-based innovation and food safety to processing, packaging, nutrition, and sustainability.
The delegation was introduced to several recent innovations developed by CFTRI scientists, including biodegradable plates and edible cutlery made from millet-processing by-products, gluten-free bread premixes from minor millets, probiotic carrot nectar, and ethylene scavenger technology that extends the shelf life of fresh fruits.
CFTRI’s commitment to addressing post-harvest losses and value addition was also highlighted, with the institute having developed a range of post-harvest technologies and training programs aimed at improving farm-to-market efficiency. The institute’s work in value addition has empowered numerous rural entrepreneurs, and its waste-to-value innovations, such as extracting gelatin from fish processing waste and developing biodegradable packaging materials from crop residues, reflect a holistic approach to food processing that integrates sustainability with profitability.
The journalists shared region-specific challenges and suggested avenues for deeper collaboration between CFTRI and local institutions in the North East, including agricultural universities, state food processing departments, and farmer-producer organisations. They emphasized the potential for establishing decentralized processing hubs, training rural youth in post-harvest handling, and promoting millet-based enterprises through technology transfer.
The delegation concluded the visit with a renewed understanding of how science and technology can drive inclusive growth, especially in regions with untapped agro-economic potential.
By Our Reporter
