By US Singh *
One of the strongest characteristics of genius is the power of lighting its own fire.
—John Waldo Emerson
Food Processing Technology is the study of science related to processing of food stuffs and the industry spans the gamut of its sectors, from grain milling and fruit and vegetable processing, to meat and poultry processing, fisheries and dairy products. However, the concept of processed food has caught the imagination of the people in recent years only because of the growing awareness of the convenience, variety, nutritional value and enhanced taste that these foods offer.
With increasing commercialisation of the agricultural sector, the production base has also widened and the industry has gain in status. New and improved products, modernisation of plants, new equipments, advertising, research and development has provided an impetus to the industry.
Work Nature: Food Processing plays an important role in the conservation and effective utilisation of available food supply, as also in the diversification of dietary habits. The work performed in the Food Processing Industry involves the practical application of the principles of Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Engineering and other disciplines of science to the preservation, processing and handling of food materials. The method of processing, however, varies for each commodity. But essentially it involves preparation of the raw materials for processing, the actual processing, which could be chopping, mixing, or even cooking of the food item, the addition of the preservatives and the final packaging for marketing.
Requirement: A basic interest in food stuffs, flavours and processing is required to enjoy the work. Besides, Food technologists should have an analytical and innovative mind, must enjoy technological work and be very particular about cleanliness and hygiene.
Eligibility: Some kind of formal training is necessary to work in this field. All courses in this field required a background in Science. Students passing 10+2 with PCB/M may opt for a 4-year graduate course in Food technology. Students graduating in Chemistry, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Agriculture Science, Home Science, Engineering, etc may go on to take up post-graduate courses in the subject. Food Craft Institute and Institute of Hotel Management, Catering and Nutrition conduct one-year full-term certificate course in bakery and confectionary, canning and food preservation. Various universities also offer degrees courses in Home Science, Food Technology and Food Science. The duration of these courses vary from two to four years.
Some of the institutes of repute are 1) Food Crafts Institute, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh which offers one-year certificate course in Bakery and Confectionary; 2) Institute of Hotel Management, Catering and Nutrition, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, which offers 2-year certificate course in Canning and Food Preservation; 3) National Dairying Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana and its branch at Bangalore, Karnataka which offer 4-year course in B Tech Dairying Technology to students of 10+2 PCME with 55 percent mark; 4) Government Fruit Preservation & Canning Industry, Lucknow, UP which also has its branch at Jaipur, Rajasthan offer 1-year Craft course in fruit technology to 10+2 students with Science. Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kalyanpur, Kanpur-208024; Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar University, Senate House, Paliwal Park, Agra-282003, University of Delhi-110007; University of Madras-600005; University of Mysore-570005; Punjab Technical University, NIT, Jalandhar-144011 and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641003 are also some of the institutes from where the students can study related courses of Food Processing.
Job Vacancy
1) Staff Selection Commission
a) Post - Sr Tech Asst. (Chemical) Group ‘B’ (NG), Vacancy - 2, Qualification - Master’s Degree in Chemistry or Agricultural Chemistry or Soil Science from a recognised University or Institute or equivalent, Last Date - Sep 21, 2007.
b) Post - Sr Tech Asst. (Geophysics) Group ‘B’ (NG), Vacancy - 1, Qualification - Master’s Degree in Geophysics or Applied Geophysics from a recognised university or equivalent, Last Date - Sep 21, 2007.
c) Post - Technical Assistant (Advertising) Group ‘B’, Vacancy - Degree of a recognised University. Three years experience in selection of Media for press advertising or production of Mechanicals in the Production Department, Last Date - Sep 21, 2007.
d) Post - Junior Grade of Indian Information Service, Group ‘B’, Vacancy - 50, Qualification - Degree of a recognised University or equivalent or Diploma in Journalism from a recognised University/ Institution or equivalent, Last Date - Sep 21, 2007.
e) Post - Data Processing Assistant Grade ‘A’, Vacancy - 7, Qualification - Masters’ Degree in Computer Application/ Computer Science or M Tech (with specialisation in Computer Applications) or BE/ B Tech in Computer Engineering/ Computer Science/ Computer Technology from a recognised University or equivalent, Last Date - Sep 21, 2007.
f) Post - Sr Geographer, Vacancy - 9, Qualification - Master’s Degree in Geography of a recognised University or equivalent, Last Date - Sep 21, 2007.
g) Post - Geographer, Vacancy - 11, Qualification - Master’s Degree in Geography of a recognised University or equivalent, Last Date, Sep 21, 2007.
h) Post - Sr Translator (Hindi), Vacancy - 1, Qualification - Bachelor’s Degree in Law from a recognised University or equivalent, Last Date - Sep 21, 2007.
i) Post - Assistant (Legal), Vacancy - 1, Qualification - Degree in Law of a recognised University or equivalent. Three years’ experience in legal matters in Central/ State Government or Should be a qualified legal practitioner who has had practised as such for a period of two years, Last Date - Sep 21, 2007.
j) Post - Junior Scientific Assistant Grade- I, Vacancy - 3, Qualification - Master’s Degree in Science or Degree in Engineering from a recognised University or equivalent. Or Bachelor’s Degree in Science of Diploma in Electrical/ Electronics Engineering from a recognised University or equivalent, Last Date - Sep 21, 2007.
(Please refer to Employment News dated 18-24 August for details).
* Human Capital, e-mail: hucapital@gmail.com
The Sangai Express
