Annual Report 2019

Abstract

Our government has earnestly been emphasising on doubling farmer’s income and their overall welfare. This goal can be achieved through multifaceted approach and government has intently involved all the channels for holistic thrust to this policy. Post- harvest engineering through processing, value addition and loss reduction, is a substantial tool that can primarily help in uplifting Indian farmers and doubling their income in 2022. I feel honoured and privileged to serve and direct one of the crucial All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology. This scheme has a direct bearing on the income and welfare of farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs and is responsible for nationwide co-ordinated research and development through developing novel post-harvest mechanism technologies, process protocols and value added products. Besides, we emphasis on reaching out to farmers through extension activities like filed demonstration, establishment of processing centres, trainings, entrepreneurship programmes and case-to-case guidance. Our 31 centres have a blend of multi-disciplinary scientists from subjects like Agril. Process Engg., Food Microbiology, Bio-chemistry, Bio-technology, Livestock Processing, Entomology, Pathology, Veterinary Sciences, Agronomy, Home Science, Family Resource Management etc. We cover broad aspects of post-harvest sector covering almost all cereals, pseudo cereals, millets, pulses, horticultural crops, livestock and unutilized, underutilized and unexplored crops. I am honoured and delighted to publish Annual Report (2019) of AICRP on Post-Harvest Engineering for highlighting our R&D activities, outreach programmes, significant achievements and success-stories of previous year. Our Co-operating centres primarily emphasize on designing agro-machinery and pilot plant besides developing process protocol and value added products. During 2019, we have developed a total of 49 technologies that includes 28 machines and 21 process protocols. A total no. of 57 technologies were commercialized and transferred in the previous year. We also established 23 Agro-processing centre in remote areas for different commodities. Our efforts are also reflected through our IPR portfolio and publications. We published 375 research papers and articles, and filed 10 patents. During 2019, our centres and scientists were conferred with 34 awards by different organizations. We are also committed to human resource development & in this regard we trained score of farmers and young entrepreneurs in line with Skill India and Start up India programmes of our government. A total number of 95 entrepreneurship were established in the previous year.

Our budget estimate (BE) for the year 2019-2020 is Rs. 2248.36 lakh from which we utilize Rs. 1826.78 lakh. As per remittance from the Council up to December 31 st , 2019, we utilize the 100% budget. We shall endeavour to utilize more funds in coming year in order to increase our activities and fast-track them. We are also in process of finalizing EFC 2020- 2025 and our focus shall be on integrated bulk storage, bringing Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things automation, robotics, drone technology and use of sensors into mainstream agricultural processing. We shall also shift our focus from conventional processing to tertiary processing in our newly developed research projects. We intend to work in integration with different schemes of ICAR using block-chain technology to find alternatives for harmful products like insecticides, pesticides to cut import load. We are committed to explore ITKs by extracting and utilizing the active ingredients from agricultural by-products and from unexplored plant species and focus on low volume high value product development work. I want to put on record my sincere gratitude to Dr. T. Mohapatra, Hon’ble Director General, ICAR & Secretary DARE; Dr. K. Alagusundaram, DDG (Engg); Dr. S.N. Jha, ADG (PE), for their continued support, guidance and encouragement. I am grateful to all RE/PIs, scientists at Co-operating Centres and Coordination Unit of AICRP on PHET for their efforts, teamwork and dedication towards achieving the goals of scheme.