Department of Food Science and Technology Nauni,Solan (HP)

Dr Rakesh Sharma
Associate Professor & Head

Department of Food Science and Technology earlier known as Post Harvest Technology was established in the year 2010 which was carved out from the Department of Pomology in 1987 to meet the ever-growing demand of developing appropriate technologies for post-harvest management and food-processing. Our teaching and research programs are designed in a way that the students are taught by academicians who are leading researchers in their fields to expose the students to the recent trends and challenges in the field.

The research funding is mainly through externally funded research projects on post harvest management, value addition, preservation and processing through Government and private agencies, viz., ICAR, AICRP, MOFPI, DST, DEST, NHB, UGC, HIMCOSTE, APEDA etc. The department has achieved distinction in research on all aspects of food science and technology with special emphasis on the post harvest management and value addition of fresh horticultural produce.

Department has published more than 200 research publication with more than 6.0 NAAS rating (96 in last five years) in leading national and international journals with average h-index of faculty as 10.5. In addition, more than 25 books, 10 practical manuals and over 1000 popular articles for technology dissemination to farmers and entrepreneurs has also been published. Department in its journey of over 35 years has been able to generate useful human resources for the country in the form of 152 M.Sc. and 53 Ph.D. students.

Mandate

  • Develop human resource in the field of postharvest management of horticultural crops and food technology
  • Develop process/technologies of postharvest management of horticultural crops and other foods
  • Provide technical knowhow and advisory services to farmers and industries in respect to postharvest management of horticultural crops and other processed foods

Strengths

  • Modern laboratory facilities for estimation of nutritional and quality components of food through latest equipments like KjelTRON, SoxTRON, FibroTRON, HPLC, UV-VIS spectrophotometer, packaging material testing instruments, milk analyzer, texture analyzer etc.
  • Equipped with FSSAI licensed Fruit Processing Unit where pilot scale testing of technologies, in-plant trainings and community canning services are being provided to Students, FPO’s, NGO’s and others
  • Commercial production of value added products from horticultural produce and other food products
  • Provision of trainings and demonstrations to various stakeholders on postharvest management of horticultural crops and other processed foods
  • Facilities for analysis of fresh and processed food products to the farmers, FPOs, entrepreneurs, self help groups, NGO’s and research scholars

Academics

The department offers degree programmes for:

  • M.Sc. Horticulture (Postharvest Management)
  • M. Tech. Food Technology (Processing Technology)
  • Ph.D. Food Technology
  • 1 Year diploma in Bakery and Fruit and Vegetable Processing
  • Three Months (12 weeks) Vocational Course on Wine Technology
    • Click here for course details
    • Twenty two students joined services in Govt. and private organisations
    • Mr Chahat Thakur received Best MSc Thesis Award and Ms Archita Thakur awarded Best Poster Presentation Award during 1st International conference on Global initiatives in Research, Innovation and Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Allied Sciences (GRISDA-2022) held at Guru Kashi University Bathinda (Punjab) jointly organized by AEEFWS Punjab Guru Kashi University Talwandi Sabo and Just Agriculture- The Magazinee.f. June 6-8, 2022
    • Six students (Pavneet Kaur, Sanjay Patidar, Dileep KC, Harpreet Kaur Saini, Priyanka Suthar and Monika Thakur) qualified UGC-NET in 2020, 2021 and 2022 and four students (Dileep KC, Anupama Anand, Rakhi Gangta and Sristi Vats) qualified ICAR-NET in 2021
    • Two students (Priyanka Arya and Dileep KC) qualified ICAR- Senior Research Fellowship Examination and one student (Arun Kumar) qualified ICAR-Junior Research Fellowship in 2019, 2020 and 2021
    • Ms Chetna Sharma and Ms Tammana Sharma received Uma Dutt Memorial Research Award for Best MSc Thesis award conferred by Society for Advancement of Human and Nature (SADHNA) in 2019 and 2020
    • Mr Abhimanyu Thakur received Chiranjit Parmar All India Distinguished Publication Award in Wild Fruits and Mr Abhishek Thakur received Uma Dutt Memorial Research Award for Best PhD Thesis award conferred by Society for Advancement of Human and Nature (SADHNA) in 2018 and 2019

    Best poster presentation award during 7th Agrivision - 2023, National Convention on Sustainable Agriculture for a self reliant India

    Technology developed & commercialized (Dried apple rings)

    Research

    Thrust Areas

    • Scientific innovations on postharvest management of agri-horti and forest produce
    • Processing, value-addition, preservation and nutritional enrichment of food
    • Development of instant convenient food, functional food and nutraceuticals from different foods
    • Extraction of bioactive compounds and antioxidants followed by their use in development of various food products
    • Food testing, quality control, pilot scale testing and mechanization of developed technology/machinery
    • ICAR- All India Coordinated Research Project on Postharvest Engineering and Technology (AICRP on PHET)
    • Value addition of sand pear: waste to worth approach for sustainable livelihood of rural population funded by Department of Environment, Science &Technology Himachal Pradesh, Shimla

      Technologies /Process developed

      • Standardization of postharvest treatments of 1-methylcycopropene (ethylene inhibitor) on postharvest quality of apples
      • Technology for the preparation of pumpkin flour and its utilization in bakery products like pie and puff pastry
      • Pilot plant for extraction of pectin from apple pomace with capacity of 10 Kg dried apple pomace/cycle of 12 hrs and efficiency of 1.4 kg pectin/10 kg
      • Utilization of fibre extracted from apple pomace for development of bakery products and fruit leather
      • Standardization of technology for development of value added products from wild fruits.
      • Extraction and microencapsulation of phenolic antioxidants from wild pomegranate and wild aonla for the development of high antioxidant value added products
      • Technology package for the development of powder from yacon (ground apple)
      • Standardization of technologies for the development of low calorie functional fruit beverages, bars, muffins, spread etc.
      • Development of ginger supplemented confectionery products and anthocyanin enriched ginger candy
      • Standardization of process protocol for preservation of sugarcane juice and development of beverages from sugarcane juice
      • Formulation of immunity boosting food products by using herbal ingredients
      • Process protocol for drying of Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) and development of stinging nettle supplemented value added products
      • Molecular characterization of theki made from Boehmeria rugulosa
      • Process protocol for the preparation of wine, beer and vinegar from fruits, vegetables and millets
      • Standardization of technique for concentration of beetroot juice and extraction of betalains from beetroot pomace
      • Development of button and oyster mushroom fortified protein rich fruit leather

      Technologies published in Package of Practices of Horticultural Crops: 33

      Patents Filed/Published/Granted: 7 published and 3 filed

      Technologies commercialized: 9

      BIS quality standards developed: 1 [Dried pomegranate arils(Anardana)-IS18262:2023]

    Extension

    To disseminate various technologies on postharvest management, processing, value addition and preservation by different communication means for better adoption among the farmers in the field and enhance income of farmers, stakeholders and entrepreneurs.

    Achievements

      • Organized four kisan melas for technology and machinery demonstration at different locations
      • Organized more than 100 training programmes focussing on various aspects of postharvest management, processing and value addition
      • Delivered more than 400 lectures and conducted practical demonstrations in different training programmes along with nine Radio/Television talks
      • Demonstration of technology by means of transfer of technology, mobile advisory, exposure visits, exhibitions etc.
      • Community canning and other value added product services to farmers, SHGs and FPOs

    Kisan Mela for technology and machinery demonstration

    Awards/Recognitions

    • Dr Rakesh Sharma received Dr MR Thakur Memorial Scientist Award for Outstanding Contribution in Teaching and Research in recognition of his leadership and contribution to the university in the field of Food Science and Technology during 39th Foundation Day of university on December 1, 2023.
    • Dr Manisha Kaushal received Best Oral Presentation Award for paper presented at International e-Conference on “Agriculture in Hilly and Mountain Landscape: An Interdisciplinary Perspective” organized by Central Agriculture University, Imphal and Indian Society of Agricultural Economics, Mumbai on November 22-24, 2023.
    • Dr Rakesh Sharma received 3rd Best Poster Presentation Awardfor paper presented at “10th Indian Horticultural Congress-2023” organized by Indian Academy of Horticultural Sciences and Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara on November 6-9, 2023.
    • “Best Exhibitor (Technology Developers)” Award to AICRP on PHET, Solan Centre for exhibiting technologies during ICAR-CIPHET Industry Interface Fair on Agro-Processing and Kisan Mela held at CIPHET, Ludhiana w.e.f. October 3-5, 2023.
    • Dr Anil Kumar Verma received Dr Sreenivasan Award-2023 during International Conference on Innovative approaches in Agriculture, Horticulture and Allied Sciences for outstanding contibutuiion in the field of Food Science and Technologyorganized by SGT University Gurugram and Just Agriculture w.e.f. March 29-31,2023.
    • Start up award for incubation centre under Chief Minister’s Startup Projects, during Annual Entrepreneurship at Shimla. M/S Yuvan Vendors India Pvt. Limited Sh. Ravinder Prasher incubatee of Dr YSP UHF received the prize of Rs 1.0 Lakh on July 29, 2022
    • Dr Anil Kumar Verma received Excellence Teaching Award-2022 during 1st International Conference on Global initiatives in Research, Innovation and Sustainable development of Agriculture and Allied Sciences (GRISDA -2022) held at Guru Kashi University Bathinda (Punjab) w.e.f. June 6-8, 2022.
    • 2nd Best AICRP Centre Award 2019-20 and Best AICRP Centre Award 2020-21
    • Dr Rakesh Sharma received Certificate of Appreciation and Excellence in Research Publication Award conferred by Dr YSPUHF, Nauni, Solan (HP) during its Foundation Day held on December 1, 2018 and December 1, 2021
    • Dr Abhimanyu Thakur received Young Scientist Award for innovative research work done in the field of Horticulture on the occasion of 4thPlantica Plant Science Research Award-2021 organized by Association of Plant Science Researchers (APSR), Plantica Foundation on June 20, 2021
    • Dr Anshu Sharma received Young Scientist Award for significant research contribution in the field of Food Technology by Society of Agricultural Research and Social Development, New Delhi, India on September 16, 2021
    • Dr Abhimanyu Thakur received Best Poster Presentation Award for paper presented at International e-Conference on Postharvest Disease Management and Value Addition of Horticultural Crops organized by ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, India on August 18-20, 2021
    • Dr Rakesh Sharma received Eminent Scientist and Dr Manisha Kaushal received Best Senior Scientist Award-2020 during International Web- Conference on New Trends in Agriculture, Environmental and Biological Sciences for Inclusive Development organized by Agro Environmental Development Society, India w.e.f. June 21-22, 2020

    Facilities

    • Incubation centre under chief minister’s startup/innovation projects/new industries scheme for creation of self employment, employment generation and upgrading the skills of entrepreneurs
    • Facilities for conducting one month practical training on Fruit & Vegetable Preservation and/or Fermentation Technology to the students of different Colleges and Universities of the state
    • Equipped with the facilities for analysing the quality of processed fruits & vegetables products of various manufacturers of the state as well as for the institutions
    • Undertake demand driven FPO based researchable issues and providing consultancy services to various stakeholders on technical aspects of Food Processing

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