Key Takeaways
- IIT Tirupati will inaugurate a state-of-the-art Common Incubation Centre on July 13, supported by a ₹2.60 crore grant.
- The centre aims to enhance value addition in agriculture and foster grassroots entrepreneurship.
- It will serve as a production hub for processing perishable goods and provide research and training opportunities in food technology.
Innovative Food Processing Centre at IIT Tirupati
A new era in food processing is set to begin at IIT Tirupati with the inauguration of the Common Incubation Centre (CIC) on July 13. This facility is developed in partnership with the Andhra Pradesh Food Processing Society (APFPS) and is supported by a ₹2.60 crore grant from the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme, administered by the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
Union Minister Chirag Paswan will officiate at the launch alongside AP Industries Minister T.G. Bharath. Officials have described this initiative as unique within the state, with a goal to strengthen value addition in the agriculture sector and stimulate local entrepreneurship.
Led by Prof. K.S.M.S. Raghava Rao from the Department of Chemical Engineering, the CIC will function as both a production hub and a practical laboratory. It will have the capacity to process up to 20 tonnes of various fruits and vegetables, including mangoes, tomatoes, and citrus fruits. Products developed at the centre will be marketed under IIT Tirupati’s in-house label, Swastha.
This facility is part of a broader national initiative comprising 76 centres, with a total investment of ₹205.95 crore. Notably, the Tirupati centre will be the only operational facility in Andhra Pradesh. An IIT Tirupati representative stated, “Our aim is to support local entrepreneurs and help them convert highly perishable crops into market-ready goods, such as pulps, jams, pickles, beverages, and snack bars.”
In addition to commercial processing, the centre will provide significant research and training opportunities for students pursuing food technology. Efforts are underway to partner with private firms to enhance market access for farmers and food entrepreneurs. The centre will also be available to entrepreneurs with existing brands, making it a collaborative space for innovation and business advancement.
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