The IIT Madras said that it will collaborate with the state government to develop Tamil Nadu’s agriculture and food processing sector. This cooperation will aim at sustainable rural development, agri-business innovation and other economic growth in Tamil Nadu.
In this direction, IIT Madras has recently signed a strategic MoU with Tamil Nadu Agri Business and Food Processing Export Corporation (TNAPEx), which is an apex body in promoting food processing and agri-exports.
The MoU was meant to be signed in the state secretariat in the presence of Additional Chief Secretary Atul Anand, government of Tamil Nadu.
Atul Anand once again gave a promise that the state government is on the mission of transforming the rural supply chains and making farmer incomes via innovation and collaboration by reducing the loss of food due to post-harvest.
The director of IIT Madras, Prof. V. Kamakoti, stressed the multi-disciplinary capability of the institute in resolving real-world problems.
He explained how IIT Madras plans to create operational efficiency, marketability and sustainability in the agribusiness ecosystem in the region of Tamil Nadu with the aid of research, training, and technological and marketing interventions.
K Alagusundaram the managing director and CEO of TNAPEx, stressed that linking the rural micro-enterprises in Tamil Nadu with the international markets and using the academic collaborations that enhance capacity building and competitiveness in the food processing industry was a strategic move.
The MoU will also cover collaboration in skilling rural youth in agribusiness to optimize the supply chains and minimize wastage of food, improve market access and export potential, package, brand and market better, and assess government schemes to achieve increased impact.