CFRTI, NABARD join hands to bolster agro-food processing in Kalyana Karnataka

As part of its capacity-building mandate, CSIR-CFTRI will design and deliver structured training programmes for various stakeholders. | Photo Credit: File photo In a step towards strengthening the agro-food processing ecosystem and enhancing value addition for agricultural produce in Karnataka, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and the CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CSIR-CFTRI), Mysuru, have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to collaborate on technology transfer, process standardisation, product development, quality assurance, and capacity building for Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and stakeholders in the Kalyana Karnataka region.The collaboration aims to support the Farmer Training and Common Facility Centres (FT-CFCs) established by NABARD across seven districts, namely Bidar, Yadgir, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Koppal, Ballari and Vijayanagara. The initiative is expected to enhance value addition, improve product quality, strengthen food safety practices, and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for farmers and rural entrepreneurs, the CFTRI said.Under the MoA, CSIR-CFTRI will facilitate technology transfer for identified agricultural commodities and processing lines across the seven FT-CFCs. The institute will standardise processes and optimise products to improve quality, consistency, shelf life, and market acceptability. It 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 general manager, NABARD, Karnataka, and Umesh Hebbar, Scientist G, CSIR-CFTRI, were present.As part of its capacity-building mandate, CSIR-CFTRI will design and deliver structured training programmes for personnel from FT-CFCs, FPOs, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders. These programmes 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 on machinery and equipment selection, including specifications to improve operational efficiency and processing performance at the common facility centres. In addition, CSIR-CFTRI will provide periodic on-site technical support, monitoring, troubleshooting, and handholding throughout the project period to ensure effective implementation of the technologies and sustained operational excellence.The partnership, the release added, is expected to bridge the gap between laboratory innovations and grassroots implementation by drawing on 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 agro-based entrepreneurship in the Kalyana Karnataka region.By integrating advanced food-processing technologies with community-based infrastructure, the initiative is expected to create a robust ecosystem for value addition, improved food quality, and market-linked rural enterprises, according to the CSIR-CFTRI. Published - July 21, 2026 06:55 pm IST