New Delhi, May 15 (UNI) The National Conference on Efficient Food Processing For Environmental & Climate-Change Trends (EFFECT) kicked off here on Wednesday with a fervent focus on addressing the critical nexus between food processing efficiency and climate change resilience.
Hosted by the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Kundli (NIFTEM-K), in collaboration with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, the conference was convened with a constellation of experts, policymakers, and industry stalwarts to deliberate on innovative solutions amidst the evolving climate landscape.
The inaugural session witnessed a ceremonial lamp-lighting by Dr. Neetu Taneja of NIFTEM-Kundli, setting the stage for a series of enlightening discussions.
Dr. Harinder Singh Oberoi, Director of NIFTEM-Kundli, outlined the conference’s agenda, emphasizing the pivotal role of precision feeding, circular economy concepts, and the integration of IoT and AI in revolutionizing food processing practices.
Keynote Speaker S. Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY), underscored the imperative of technological interventions, citing the collaborative efforts of agencies like SAMEER in driving efficiency across the food processing value chain.
Anita Praveen, Secretary of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), emphasized the urgency of embracing renewable resources and reducing waste, aligning with the broader goal of sustainable development.
Renowned Economist Prof. Ramesh Chand, Member of NITI Aayog, highlighted the symbiotic relationship between efficient food processing and climate change mitigation, calling for concerted action to harness the potential of this sector.
The Conference also featured expert talks and panel discussions delving into diverse topics such as livestock production, resilience planning, and energy-efficient solutions.
Dr. Raghavendra Bhatta and Prof. Kamna Sachdeva offered insights into adaptive strategies and government schemes aimed at bolstering the resilience of the food processing industry.
A panel discussion moderated by Raman Ahuja of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) facilitated robust exchanges among esteemed panelists, exploring avenues for synergy between fisheries, livestock, and the overarching objectives of the conference.
In subsequent sessions, industry experts Saurabh Bhanot and Kartik Nagrajan elucidated innovations in transportation and energy-efficient solutions, while Dr. M. L. Arora led a panel discussion on enhancing storage and cold chain systems’ energy efficiency.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Bhim Pratap Singh underscored the conference’s significance in catalyzing sustainable food processing practices, urging stakeholders to translate insights into tangible action.
The EFFECT conference provided fertile ground for fostering collaboration and innovation, reaffirming the imperative of collective action in navigating the complex interplay between food security, climate change, and sustainable development.
