Participants receive hands-on training during a training on “Modern Meat Processing & Value Addition” at Khanapara, Guwahati, on August 21.
Kohima, August 21 (MExN): The Department of Industries and Commerce, in collaboration with Nagaland Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (NIDC), organised a two-day technology clinic on “Modern Meat Processing & Value Addition: Technology, Safety and Preservation” at Khanapara, Guwahati, on August 20 and 21.
The programme was held at the AICRP on Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology, Department of Livestock Products Technology, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Veterinary and Fishery University (AVFU), Khanapara.
The inaugural programme was attended by Dr B N Saikia, Dean, College of Veterinary Science, as chief guest. He stressed the need to shift from raw meat sales to value-added products to enhance profitability, reduce post-harvest losses and extend shelf life.
The two-day clinic focused on strengthening participants' practical knowledge and technical skills in hygienic poultry slaughtering, meat processing, preservation, packaging and value addition.
Participants received hands-on exposure to scientific slaughtering, preparation of poultry cut-parts, smoked meat products, emulsion-based chicken products and ready-to-eat shelf-stable meat products.
Sessions also covered preservation and packaging technologies, marketing and commercialisation strategies and sustainable utilisation of by-products.
The programme was conducted by faculty members, scientists and technical experts from the Department of Livestock Products Technology and AICRP on Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology, AVFU, Khanapara.
Resource persons included Dr Ankur Das, Dr Protiva Gogoi, Dr S K Laskar, Dr Santosh Upadhyay, Dr Sadhana Choudhury, Dr Kushal Jyoti Thakuria, Dr Gaichamdinliu Gonmei, Er Anil Sharma and Dr Masuk Raquib, among others.
The technology clinic provided participants with practical exposure to modern processing and value-addition technologies, with emphasis on food safety, product diversification, preservation, packaging, marketing and waste utilisation.
The initiative is expected to support entrepreneurship, improve processing practices and promote greater value creation from poultry and meat resources in the region.
The programme was organised under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) Scheme, a World Bank-supported initiative of the Government of India aimed at enhancing market access, credit availability and capacity building for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as part of post-COVID-19 recovery efforts.
The department said access to advanced machinery and modern technology was crucial for local enterprises to remain competitive in Nagaland's evolving business environment. The RAMP-backed technology clinics bring together experts and technocrats to provide entrepreneurs with practical knowledge and emerging tools to upgrade and modernise their businesses.
