CFTRI, NABARD join hands to promote agri-food processing in Kalyana Karnataka

Surendra Babu, Chief General Manager, NABARD, and Giridhar P., Director, CSIR-CFTRI exchange Memorandum of Agreement documents. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and CSIR-Central Food Technology Research Institute (CSIR-CFTRI), Mysuru, in a move to strengthen the agri-food processing ecosystem and increase value addition to agricultural production in Karnataka, have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to collaborate on technology transfer, process standardization, farm capacity building and production quality assurance, product development for production (FPO) and stakeholders in the Kalyana region Karnataka.

The collaboration is aimed at supporting Farmer Training Centers and Common Facilities (FT-CFC) set up by NABARD in seven districts namely Bidar, Yadgir, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Koppal, Ballari and Vijayanagara. The initiative is expected to increase value addition, improve product quality, strengthen food safety practices and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for farmers and rural entrepreneurs, CFTRI said.

CSIR-CFTRI under MoA will facilitate technology transfer for identified agricultural commodities and processing lines under seven FT-CFCs. The institute will standardize processes and optimize products to improve quality, consistency, shelf life and market acceptability. He will also develop unit-specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) covering the entire processing chain to ensure uniformity, efficiency and compliance with quality standards.

Surendra Babu, Chief General Manager, NABARD, and Giridhar P., Director, CSIR-CFTRI signed the MoA recently. Deepa Subhashini Pillai, Deputy Director General, NABARD, Karnataka;

As part of its capacity building mandate, CSIR-CFTRI will design and deliver structured training programs for staff from FT-CFCs, FPOs, Self Help Groups (SHGs), entrepreneurs and other stakeholders. These programs will focus on scientific processing techniques, food safety and hygiene, quality control, packaging, value addition and good manufacturing practices, a press release said.

The Institute will also provide technical guidance for the selection of machinery and equipment, including specifications to improve operational efficiency and processing performance in common facility centers. In addition, CSIR-CFTRI will provide regular on-site technical support, monitoring, troubleshooting and holding throughout the duration of the project to ensure effective technology implementation and sustained operational excellence.

This partnership is expected to bridge the gap between laboratory innovation and grassroots implementation by leveraging CSIR-CFTRI’s expertise in food processing technologies and NABARD’s extensive rural development network. The initiative will enable FPOs and rural enterprises to produce high-quality, value-added food products that meet market standards, thereby improving farmers’ incomes and promoting sustainable agribusiness in the Kalyana region of Karnataka.

By integrating advanced food processing technologies with community infrastructure, the initiative is expected to create a robust ecosystem for value addition, improved food quality and market-linked rural enterprises, says CSIR-CFTRI.

Published – 21 Jul 2026 18:55 IST