ISLAMABAD, March 24: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has approved a project of upgradation of Department of Food Technology to Institute of Food Science and Technology at University of Agriculture, Faisalabad at a cost of about Rs35 million.

The project was approved in Departmental Development Working Party (DDWP) held recently at HEC campus, Islamabad and would be completed in 24 months.

It is a fact that the growth of the food industry is rapid and losses in agricultural commodities are occurring at alarming rate.

With improved academic and research training facilities, it is projected that there will be a significant increase in the quantity and quality of professional manpower within the industry.

The project would develop and provide technical information, training and services to public and private sectors food industries in the discipline of food science and technology.

The project would also provide appropriate technology packages for the handling, processing and storage of raw agricultural produce to curtail post-harvest losses and promote value addition for local and export markets.

The main impetus of the Institute would be to provide graduate and postgraduate level education through the application of theoretical and practical aspects to the entire food production process.

The overall goal of the project would be to assist in poverty alleviation through motivation for creation of opportunities for generating and increasing income.

Furthermore, it would contribute to food security, increase foreign exchange earnings and provide cost-effective environment- friendly processing technologies development through better trained manpower. — APP