Raipur, December 5, 2025/ A team of 18 UG & PG students and 2 faculty members from the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) Kundli, Haryana, visited Jashpur for the third consecutive year from November 19 to 27, 2025, under their prestigious Village Adoption Program. NIFTEM had initiated its activities in 2023, as per the instructions of the Jashpur District Administration, to promote food processing and value addition of agricultural, horticultural, and forest produce, especially Mahua.
The NIFTEM team interacted with Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and food processing stakeholders, sharing information related to quality, safety, regulation, and entrepreneurship.
Practical Training on Value-Added Products from Millets
The foundation for food processing training in Jashpur was strengthened this year with the team conducting various training programs to develop skilled human resources. A Food Processing Training and Incubation Center was established at the College of Agriculture and Research Station in Kunkuri, where youth were trained in the production of millet-based bakery products. The VAP team organized three practical training sessions on value-added products from millets for SHG and FPO members, and youth. Additionally, essential guidance was provided on Suji-based pasta making, packaging, labeling, branding, and marketing. A total of 96 participants received training, with 65 percent being women.
Jashpur: A Rich Repository of Crops and Opportunities
Jashpur’s climate and geographical diversity facilitate the production of excellent crops, making it highly suitable for crops like paddy, Kodo-Kutki, Ragi, apples, pears, strawberries, cashews, jackfruit, ginger, turmeric, lemon, tea, and Mahua. Through food processing, these surplus products can be converted into value-added food products with longer shelf life, safe processing, and include items like snacks, breakfast cereals, energy bars, and ready-to-eat/cook products.
The District Administration is prioritizing the development of food processing infrastructure in all blocks. NIFTEM’s VAP program is empowering this effort by providing technical assistance, training, and entrepreneurship development to rural communities.
Mahua Center of Excellence: Appreciated by the NIFTEM Team
During their visit, the NIFTEM team also toured the Mahua Center of Excellence, where they extensively studied the development work on various innovative value-added products derived from Mahua flowers, such as Mahua Chyawanprash, Mahua Tea, Mahua-based snacks, and other experimental food products. The team especially appreciated the product quality, compatible processing methods, packaging hygiene and presentation, and the modern food-grade utilization of Mahua. The Mahua Center of Excellence is a small but significant processing unit initiated by the Jashpur District Administration, currently operated by Jay Jangal. This center plays an active role in the processing and value addition of Kodo, Kutki, Ragi, and Mahua in the district and has become a hub for skill development and income generation for local women’s groups.
Prof. Prasanna Kumar, leading the VAP program, expressed satisfaction with Jashpur’s progress. He highlighted the contributions of the District Collector Jashpur, CEO of the District Panchayat, NRLM Mission Manager, and the Director of Jay Jangal FPC.
NIFTEM Director Dr. Harinder Singh Oberoi emphasized the need to expand the activities of VAP, describing it as the foundation of Chhattisgarh’s emerging food processing ecosystem.
Based on this comprehensive analysis, a detailed “Jashpur Food Processing Development Report” was formally presented to the District Administration today.