Skill Development Certificate Course on “Production and Value Addition of Agri-produce held

Solan, August 6

The ten-day Skill Development Certificate Course on “Production and Value Addition of Agri-produce,” held in Shoolini University concluded on Sunday.

The course was a collaborative effort between Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry and the MS Swaminathan School of Agriculture at Shoolini University, funded by NAHEP Component 2 and ICAR-NAARM. Designed for twenty-five students from both universities, the course featured forty-one sessions led by thirty-five experts.

The curriculum began with foundational topics on value addition, covering year-round utilization, nutritional benefits, and economic impacts. It then progressed to agronomic practices, including seed quality, processing technologies for vegetables and fruits, and plant disease management. Practical field visits on Days 4 and 5 provided hands-on experience; Day 4 at Chamelti farms involved crop management, pest control, and machinery operation, while Day 5 at Yashwant Singh Parmar University included food science labs, mushroom cultivation, and drone usage. Subsequent days focused on beekeeping, pesticide toxicity, food safety, and innovative shelf-life extension methods. Students engaged with processing equipment, learned about packaging techniques, and explored concepts like waste-to-wealth. On Day 9, agribusiness planning was emphasised, covering Detailed Project Reports, financial documentation, and market trends. The course concluded with a focus on the nutritional value of fresh and processed products, advanced packaging methods, and intellectual property rights, with Dr. SK Soam, Joint Director, ICAR-NAARM discussing the role of problem-solving approach in developing patents. The course effectively blended theoretical insights with practical experiences, equipping participants with essential skills and knowledge for success in the agri-produce sector.