Need for Developing a Model of The Sustainable Food Ecosystem

BHU: On the occasion of World Food Day, the Department of Dairy Science & Food Technology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, in association with AFSTi- Varanasi Chapter, successfully organized a two-day Departmental Technical Fest cum National Seminar (AIKYAM’ 22) with the theme “Leave No One Behind.”

On the second day, AIKYAM’s 22 newly created state-of-the-art Modular laboratories were inaugurated by Prof. Vijay Kumar Shukla, Rector of BHU on the occasion of World Food Day.

The lab has the facilities for Microbial biotechnology, Quality assurance, and Microbial analysis with advanced Cereals, Pulses, and Oil processing technology for UG, PG, and Ph.D. students.

In the inaugural function, Prof. Dinesh Chandra Rai welcomed the guest by presenting a token of love and appreciation as well as addressed the group with his enlightening words on aspects of challenges in various food sectors for developing a model of sustainable food eco-system to achieve a trillion economy of the country. The Chief guest Prof. V. K. Shukla addressed the gathering and highlighted the value of food, the necessity of food security, and the challenges faced by the agro-food industries while inspiring students to come up with solutions. He further highlighted the factor of World Food Day serving as an annual reminder that food insecurity and malnutrition are still widespread problems. As far back as 1945, the United Nations recognized food as not a privilege, but a right, and echoed the statement by celebrating World Food Day, which was observed annually on October 16, in 1979. It’s a day of observance to draw attention to the plight of the hungry.

Prof. Yashwant Singh, Director of the Institute of Agricultural Sciences at BHU discussed food security, nutritional security as well as environmental security. He also addressed that more should be done to assist small-scale farms. They are one of the foundations of the world’s agrifood systems, yet often trapped in cycles of poverty and food insecurity and excluded from opportunities in systems dominated by large commercial producers and retailers.

In interaction with the students, the guest of honor, Mr. Sameer Saxena, Head of Quality Assurance & NPD GCMMF (Amul), discussed the value of millets and other functional ingredients. Various Heads of Departments, faculty members, and officials of the University were presented at the function including Prof. Abhimanyu Singh, Chief Proctor, BHU, Prof. Kalyan Ghadei, Dr. Dhirendra Rai, Dr. Geeta Rai, and Dr. Ashish Agrawal.

Dr. Tanweer Alam, Joint Director of the Indian Institute of Packaging, Delhi emphasized the importance of packaging and its role in reducing wastage, a major global issue. He also highlighted the valorization of agro-based wastage invaluable products.

Dr. Geeta Rai and Dr. Ashish Agrawal were the judges of the Poster session to evaluate the posters.

Mr. Chandan Pandey, the Assistant commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, Government of Uttar Pradesh delivered a talk on food safety and security. Dr. Prabodh S. Halde, Head of Regulatory affairs Marico Ltd. President AFST India and Chairman AIFPA Western region, addressed the gathering on entrepreneurship skills in food sectors through an online platform. Dr. Ankita conducted the session and Dr. Tarun Verma had given a vote of thanks to the audience. In this Technical fest, various events were successfully conducted. At the last, the event concluded with prizes and certificate distribution to different winners who participated in the events. About 200 participants were attended the function.