Dimapur, Aug. 21 (EMN): Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kohima, under the aegis of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, government of India, conducted a six-day skill training of rural youth (STRY) programme on “Post-harvest processing and packaging of fruits and vegetables” in its conference hall from August 11 to the 18th.
The training was conducted in association with the State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (SAMETI), Medziphema, and National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad, stated an update from KVK Kohima.
Delivering the keynote address at the inaugural programme, Dr. Ruokuovilie Mezhatsu, senior scientist and head of KVK Kohima, informed that the six-day programme was aimed at imparting skill based training to rural unemployed youth on Agri-based vocational areas in compliance with national policy skill development and entrepreneurship in agriculture and allied areas to promote self-employment and entrepreneurship.
The inaugural programme was chaired by Dr. Shisarenla Aier, SMS (Horticulture), while the vote of thanks was proposed by Imtinuksung, SMS (Soil Conservation).
The resource persons during the technical sessions were Dr. Shisarenla Aier, SMS (Horticulture); Imtinuksung, SMS (Soil Conservation); Dr. Sesenlo Kath, technical officer (FM); and Keviyieno Zhasa, technical officer (Home Science).
The resource persons spoke on the scope and importance of post-harvest processing and packaging of fruits and vegetables, causes of food spoilage in fruits and vegetables, principles and methods of preservation, marketing strategy for value added products for higher income generation, calculation of benefit cost ratio of prepared products for higher income generation and quality control in India, FSSAI registration and regulations.
Report stated that hands-on practical sessions were also conducted where the participants were trained on making of various value added products like pickle preparation, candy making, squash, jam, jackfruit and banana chips, marmalades etc. It was followed with packaging and labeling of prepared food products for sell and exhibitions.
Altogether, 15 participants were awarded certificate provided under skill training of rural youth (STRY) scheme by Sub- Mission on Agricultural Extension (SMAE) and National Mission on Agriculture Extension and Technology (NMAET), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, government of India.
As a start-up, different types of packaging materials for various value added products were distributed to all the participants.