The ‘World Food India 2024’ event concluded on Sunday at Bharat Mandapam, Delhi, with notable achievements from NIFTEM-Kundli. The Ministry of Food Processing Industries organized the event, where NIFTEM-K signed 19 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), completed three technology transfers, and launched two new products. Among the standout innovations were NIFTEM’s IoT-based hybrid dryer ‘Sarathi,’ biodegradable packaging films, and rapid detection kits.
Union Minister Chirag Paswan praised the contributions of the startups, emphasizing the essential link between food safety and food processing. He expressed pride in the students’ dedication, particularly noting the development of the rapid detection kit as a key achievement.
The ‘Sarathi’ system (Solar Assisted Refrigeration Transportation with Hybrid Control and Intelligence) is designed to safely store and transport fruits and vegetables at different temperatures. It enables remote monitoring of temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, and ethylene through a mobile app.
The system can maintain temperatures of 0-4°C and 8-12°C, using solar power for air circulation when necessary. The IoT-based hybrid dryer, another highlight, uses infrared and refractance window technology to dry food products in 4-5 hours, with temperature and power consumption controlled via a smart energy meter and mobile app.
During the event, NIFTEM-K forged partnerships with 19 leading companies, including Tetra Pak, Hexagon Nutrition Limited, LT Foods Limited, Tata Consumer Products Limited, and Hindustan Unilever Limited. Dr. Harinder Singh Oberoi, Director of NIFTEM-Kundli, stated that these collaborations will enhance innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable practices in India’s food industry.
These partnerships are also expected to offer NIFTEM students opportunities in research, projects, and placements. The four-day festival attracted participation from over 90 countries, 26 states and union territories, and 18 central ministries.
