Over 5 lakh manpower required in food processing sector

KOLKATA: As per a study conducted by the National Skill Development Corporation on Human Resource and Skill Requirement in the Food Processing Sector, the annual human resource requirement in food processing industry is estimated at about 5.3 lakh persons including about one lakh persons in the organized sector.

Ministry of Food Processing Industries is implementing a scheme for Human Resource Development in the Food Processing Sector. The HRD Scheme focuses on developing technologists, managers, entrepreneurs and manpower for quality management in food processing. The scheme provides assistance for creation of infrastructure facilities in academic institutions and for setting up of Food Processing and Training Centres (FPTC).

There are also two academic-cum-research institutions under this Ministry viz. National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship & Management (NIFTEM) at Kundli, Sonepat, Haryana and the Indian Institute of Crop Processing Technology (IICPT) at Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, which offer academic programmes at Bachelors, Masters and Ph.D Level in food processing. The institutes are also conducting short term skill development training courses.

This information was given in Lok Sabha today by Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Dr Charan Das Mahant in a written reply.