Food industry and craft mela serves as connecting link between producer and consumer: VC, PAU

Ludhiana, October 21, 2019: The Food Industry and Craft Mela was inaugurated on Sunday at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) amidst enthusiastic participation of farmers, rural women, self-help groups, food industry, young entrepreneurs and visitors from Ludhiana and other parts of the state as well. 

The Directorate of Extension Education had organized the mela near the Food Industry Business Incubation Centre of PAU. The main attractions of the mela were food court, handicrafts, Diwali gifts, agro-processing, solar appliances, game zone and competitions for the children. Stalls showcasing a rich collection of homemade and branded food items, hand woven handicrafts, fancy bed sheets, designer clothing (suits and kurtis), different designs of jewellery, cosmetics, home decor items, solar appliances, etc. received an unprecedented response from the visitors.

Inaugurating the mela, Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, who was the chief guest, observed, “The mela serves as a connecting link between the producer and the consumer.” Aiming at giving a push to the food processing sector, the mela provides an opportunity to the nascent entrepreneurs, self-help groups and the farmers to exhibit and sell their products under one roof, he said.

Dr JS Mahal, Director of Extension Education, PAU, said, “Food processing, being an important segment of agriculture, plays a significant role in the utilization of produce in the best possible way; providing a platform to the small, medium and big industries to endorse their products and to the students to interact with the industry and gain practical experience in agro-processing.”

Giving details, Dr Poonam A Sachdev, Head, Department of Food Science and Technology, said the food items such as pickles, tomato products, multigrain flour, fruit juices (mango and guava), beverages, etc. have been prepared by the students of the department. The products were highly sought after during the mela, she added.

Dr Kiran Bains, Head, Department of Food and Nutrition, said honey, chocolates, breads, muffins, cakes, pickles, chutneys, fruit juices, beverages and Diwali gifts were in great demand among visitors. Heavy rush was also seen for the traditional recipes like golgappas, jalebis and other sweets, she said, while adding that the mela wore a festive look.

Dr Mahesh Kumar, Head, Department of Processing and Food Engineering, informed that about 150 stalls were put up at the mela by various departments of PAU, budding entrepreneurs, self-help groups, farmer producer organizations, food industry, etc.

On the occasion, Deans, Directors, Additional Directors of Extension Education, Additional Directors of Research, Heads of various Departments, faculty and students of PAU were present.