The five- day training cum workshop on essential oils, perfumery and aromatherapy organised by Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehra Dun in collaboration with Fragrance and Flavor Development Centre (FFDC), Kannauj between June 12-16 concluded on Friday.
Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) DG Dr SC Gairola underlined the importance of such training programmes in the fast-changing scenario of fragrance and flavor industry (F&F) in India and the world over. He stressed the importance of forests in sustained supply of medicinal and aromatic plant raw material to F&F industry. “Under the changing scenario, the aroma R&D professionals and entrepreneurs need to update their knowledge and skills with the modern tools and techniques for advancement of aroma based entrepreneurship in the country,” he said while underlining the importance of collaboration among the like-minded institutions.
Forest Research Institute Director Dr Savita praised the efforts of Chemistry Division of FRI and FFDC for organizing successfully the training cum workshop. She called upon the participants to take forward the knowledge and skill acquired through this training programme. Welcoming the participants and all those present on the occasion, Dr VK Varshney, Head, Chemistry Division, FRI presented a brief account of the proceedings of five-day training cum workshop. Addressing the gathering, SV Shukla, Principal Director, FFDC ascertained that the F&F industry being largely dependent on resources from the forests and FFDC, the institutions like FRI hold great promise in supporting and facilitating aroma industries in the country.
The training cum workshop was attended by participants from diverse fields and different corners of the country. During the training programme, six technical sessions comprising 18 lectures and four demonstrations were designed to provide a detailed exposure towards fundamental and applied aspects of extraction, processing, quality assessment, value addition and therapeutic benefits of essential oils and their applications in perfumery and aromatherapy.
The participants while appreciating the training programmes explained how the training cum workshop has proved beneficial for them.