World Food India 2017 was an eye opener for students opting for careers in the food industry, says Dr TP Sethumadhavan
World Food India 2017 held at New Delhi in November 2017 showcased the recent research and development in the food processing sector within the country and abroad. Representatives from more than 33 countries participated in the exhibition and seminars. Food expo highlighted the importance of fortified, probiotic food products including anti-aging and anti-cancerous food products. Increasing shelf life, value addition, quality, packaging and export promotion are some of the key areas in this sector. It also highlighted how technology and research can be effectively blended for better economic return and health in food processing. The event also addressed the basic challenges which include India’s potential to the World’s requirements, Indian traditions, market and farmers demand.
India is the third largest producer of all foods in the world but international presence is only two per cent. The Government of India has a target of achieving three per cent of international food trade from the current level of 1.5 per cent.
The total value of food trade in the country is nine lakh crore. The country has 300 million upper-middle-class consumers for value-added foods. Around 200 million Indians are in the transition stage from lower economic status to middle-upper-class levels.
Employment
One per cent growth in food processing industries will provide five lakh direct and 15 lakh indirect employment. Combining traditional food industries with modern technology, processing and packaging can facilitate to get the health benefits and to provide refreshing taste of Indian food ingredients. Food processing is a labour intensive sector which can generate more than five lakh employment opportunities by 2022. The processing sector has an annual growth rate of around 25 per cent with the increase in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is more than 40 per cent. The Government of India under Make in India programme allowed 100 per cent FDI in food processing sector. It has been envisaged that by 2022, of the total retail market 70 per cent will be the share of the food market in India.
The major challenge in the food processing sector in India is the scarcity of skilled labours, technologists, scientists, etc. This is a robust sector wherein students can opt for higher education within the country or abroad.
Institutions & Courses
There are different courses available which an aspirant can enroll themselves in. Some of them include Food Technology courses in BTech, MTech, Doctoral, Diploma and certificate programmes. National Institute of Food Technology and Entrepreneurship Management (NIFTEM), Sonepet, Haryana, and Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology, Thanjavur, are the two premier institutes in India offering undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programmes in food technology. Government of India is in the process of establishing 42 mega food parks in the country. The above campuses provide 100 per cent campus recruitment to students.
Kerala Agricultural University, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University and Kerala University for Fisheries and Oceanographic studies are also offering courses for Class XII passed students in food engineering/ food technology, etc. Selection is through Kerala Engineering entrance examination conducted by Commissioner for Entrance Examinations, Kerala.
The Class XII passed students with Science and Mathematics background can apply for the courses through JEE (Main). Eligibility for applying JEE Main is Class XII passed with 75 per cent marks in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
Science and Engineering graduates can apply for masters/graduate programmes in food science/technology/quality control/entrepreneurship management/agribusiness and work in food processing sector.
The writer is director, Ul Education and founder of www.nextedu.in