Karnataka Agri Business Corporation, a special business vehicle of the Karnataka State Agricultural Produce Processing and Export Corporation Limited (KAPPEC), has now inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with CSIR-CFTRI Mysuru and Indian Institute of Horticulture Research (IIHR), Bengaluru. This is for technology transfer and training programmes in food processing.

“These technologies can be developed to harness the agriculture and food processing sector. It is here KAPPEC and KABC have designed a programme to provide the much- needed financial assistance to avail the technologies developed by the R&D organisations,” said Shivaraj, managing director, KAPPEC.

“Good opportunities exist in the state to develop food processing which provides infrastructure development in the rural areas, employment generation and better economic return for the produce grown by the farmers. It is here research and development in states like the CSIR-CFTRI, IIHR, IIMR, IFPT, DFRL and SAU have developed several innovative technologies for the growth and development of the food processing sector,” he added.

Farmers, startups and food park entrepreneurs can avail of the funding. Here the R&D centres can provide the turnkey solutions. It can also offer the insitu training, handholding and quality testing. KAPPEC will facilitate the interactions for entrepreneurs and provide financial assistance for transfer of technology and training.

For this there is a team of designated scientists and nodal officers which will coordinate. This includes Dr A S Chauhan, Senior Principal Scientist, and Dr Raghvendra, Technical Officer from CFTRI; and Dr Harinder Singh Oberoi, Principal Scientist, Post Harvest Technology, IIHR. The KAPPEC representatives would be Dr Chandrakumar N, Assistant Director, Horticulture. Therefore the stakeholders can contact the designated officers.

A declaration that expresses the intent to establish the production unit within a period of one year after the transfer of technology will be provided along with the application. A screening and approval committee will view on the viability of the project before KAPPEC releases the funds. The farmer groups and food processing organisation self-help groups and organic federations will get a licence fee of 75 per cent along with the self-help groups.

Startups and food parks entrepreneurs are entitled for 60 per cent of the fee. Other food processing entrepreneurs along with private and public partnership companies will get 50 per cent. Maximum assistance during the period of two years, the beneficiary will get Rs 2 lakh. Within this limit, the beneficiaries can avail two or more technologies.