Millets, gold mine for farmers: NIFTEM-T

TIRUCHY: The value of millets in future economy and nutritional security are exceptional one and people, especially the farmers should utilise R & D outcomes of the National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management – Thanjavur (NIFTEM-T) for commercial ventures, said Anita Praveen, Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India on Friday.

NIFTEM-T organised its open day event on the theme of Millet Processing to sensitise the public on the ensuing International Year of Millets and advantages of millet processing, contribution of the food processing sector in nation building and educating the public on food safety and hygiene practices.

While inaugurating the event virtually, Anita Praveen released the compendium of “Novel Food Processing Technologies developed by NIFTEM-T” and a coffee table booklet on “Value Added Products from Millets” suitable for niche market.

She urged the people especially, the farmers to get to know the importance of millets in the future economy as there is a growing demand globally. She asked the public to make use of the R and D outcomes of the NIFTEM-T for commercial ventures.

As part of the open day events, NIFTEM-T signed MoU’s with Taylor’s University, Malaysia, for collaborative academic programmes and M/s. Cauvery Smart Foods and Agrotech Private Limited, Thanjavur for technology transfer.

Competitions for schools and college students on various talent searches were conducted. Among schools, PU Middle School, Villupuram won the first prize in documentary filmmaking. In the college students category, Dr NGP Arts and Science College, Coimbatore, won the first prize. In the poster making competition, Maxwell Matric Higher Secondary School, Thanjavur won the first position. In radio jockey imitation competition, Agricultural Engineering College and Research Institute, Coimbatore, won the first position. The winners were awarded with citations and cash prizes.

V Thiruvalluvan, Vice Chancellor of Tamil University, Thanjavur, A Velayutham, Dean, AEC and RI, Eachangkottai, Thanjavur, P Rajkumar, Dean, AEC and RI, Kumulur and Dr S Maruthu Thurai, Dean, Thanjavur Medical College and others were present.