PAU’s Department of Processing and Food Engineering Receives “Best AICRP on PHET Centre Award 2023-24′

Ludhiana, March 18..Amrik Singh Prince.

Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, continues to shine as it proudly secures the esteemed ‘Best Centre Award 2023-24’ for the All-India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Post-harvest Engineering and Technology (PHET). This accolade was conferred upon the Department of Processing and Food Engineering, PAU, for its outstanding performance during the fiscal year 2023-24. The honour was bestowed at the 39th Annual workshop of AICRP on PHET, held at ICAR-CIPHET, Ludhiana, from March 13-15, 2024.

Outperforming 29 centres nationwide, PAU, Ludhiana Centre, stood out for its remarkable contributions to Post-harvest Engineering and Technology advancement. Dr S N Jha, Deputy Director General (Engg), ICAR-New Delhi, presented the award to the PAU team. Dr K Narsaiah, ADG (Process Engg), Dr Nachiket Kotwaliwale, Director (ICAR-CIPHET, Ludhiana), and other distinguished experts extended their heartfelt congratulations to the dedicated scientists, including Dr M S Alam, Dr Surekha Bhatia, Dr Sandhya, Dr Manpreet Kaur Saini, Dr Rohit Sharma, and Dr Gagandeep Kaur, for their exceptional efforts and significant achievements within the scheme.

PAU, Ludhiana Centre, has been at the forefront of introducing and promoting the Agro Processing Complex concept across Punjab. Under the leadership of Principal Investigator Dr M S Alam, the team has spearheaded various groundbreaking technologies, including but not limited to the development of stevia powder, bold menthol crystals, vacuum-assisted ohmic heating system for aonla juice, and IoT/sensor-based detection processes. The Centre’s innovative technologies, such as Farm-level fruit and vegetable washing machines and Electric-cum-battery heated uncapping knives, have left a profound impact on the agricultural sector.

PAU Vice-Chancellor Dr Satbir Singh Gosal and Dr Ajmer Singh Dhatt, Director of Research, commended the scientists for their exemplary achievement. Dr Manjeet Singh, Dean of the College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, and Dr T C Mittal, Head of the Department of Processing and Food Engineering, lauded the team’s dedication, exceptional performance, and significant contributions in the field of post-harvest engineering and technology research.