Mysore/Mysuru: The inauguration of a series of capacity-building training programmes in food processing for SC and ST aspiring and existing entrepreneurs, sponsored by National SC&ST Hub (NSSH), Ministry of MSME, was held on Jan.18 at CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysuru. 

A. Kokila, Head of National SC&ST Hub, Bengaluru, was the chief guest while Megha, Assistant Director, Department of Social Welfare, Mysuru, was the guest of honour. 

Dr. Sridevi A. Singh, Director, CSIR-CFTRI, presided over the programme which covers five major areas of food processing such as Nutri-cereal processes and products; traditional sugar confectionery and sensory science concepts for product development; entrepreneurship development programme on the processing of spices, coffee & tea; wheat milling and baking technology; fruit and vegetable technologies for value addition. 

Dr. Ajay W. Tumaney, Coordinator, STC Programmes and Principal Scientist, Lipid Science Department, briefed the audience about the capacity-building programmes undertaken by CFTRI. 

In her inaugural address, Kokila said that NSSH is supporting the SC&ST entrepreneurs in providing training, loans, and marketing of the products with an aim to reach the 4% procurement quota allocated to SC-ST entrepreneurs at the national level, and NSSH is also providing training in tendering and e-tendering processes to them. 

She also informed the participants of the training programmes that 100% subsidy is being provided by the Karnataka Government for SC&ST entrepreneurs who take training and technology transfer from CSIR-CFTRI.  

She requested the participants to be innovative in their products to stand-up in the market. 

Megha asked the course participants to take this training programme seriously and gain knowledge to enable them to start their own business. 

 In her Presidential remarks, Dr. Sridevi A. Singh informed the participants that CSIR-CFTRI has more than 300 ready technologies available with it for technology transfer and extended hand-holding support of the institute to the participants of the training programme.  

Dr. A. Jayadeep, Head, Grain Science Technology, briefed about the course on Nutri-cereal processes & products covering maize and pseudo millets, and wrapped up the session, and proposed a vote of thanks. Dr. Poornima Priyadarshini, Scientist, Molecular Nutrition Department, compered the programme.