As food prices escalate to unprecedented levels, the government is thinking of providing some extra dosage of protein to the “needy and children” through technological innovations.
Under the 11th five year plan, the Union government has directed Mysore-based Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) to develop “nutrition food for the needy and children”, so that the economically deprived gets protein supplement through food like biscuits and cookies, even though wheat and rice gets increasingly dearer and out of the reach of millions of people.
Speaking on the sidelines of an interactive session organised by the Bengal National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ved Prakash, director, CFTRI, said the nutritional food to be developed under CRFTI guidelines would be region-specific, as it would take care of food habits and availability of raw materials in different states.
The biscuits prepared according to the guidelines would be at least 12 per cent richer in protein than other biscuits in the same price, he informed. For marketing purposes, CFTRI could give the technology to village anganwadis, (kindergartens) or any other government establishment, he said.
“It may even give it to private companies, provided they maintain the price tag prescribed by the government,” he added.
Along with this, CFTRI has taken up another project of making small energy-saving kitchen gadgets for drudgery purposes, under government directives. The laboratory would also file design patent of the products, Prakash said.
However, unlike the other project, this one would be targeted mid-level executives, who have little time for household chores. The initial investment in research and development in both the projects would be close to Rs 50 lakh, he said.
CFTRI till now has applied more than 1,000 patent registrations for products innovated by it.
Prakash also said, the state governments should develop effective market absorption system for the food processing industry, through public private partnership, so that farmers do not face the problem of plenty in peak seasons.
Also, in the past eight years, representatives of the West Bengal government made more than five visits to CRFTI for developing the food processing industry in the state. However, West Bengal was yet to catch up with states like Maharashtra, in absence of private entrepreneurship.
