<p>The city-based CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Karnataka State Mango Development and Marketing Corporation Limited (KSMD&MCL), under the department of Horticulture, here recently for establishing a Mango Development Centre (MDC) in Chintamani taluk of Kolar district.<br /><br /></p>.<p>As per the agreement, the CFTRI will function as a technical consultant for creating infrastructure for post-harvest handling of mangoes. The plant with unit operations such as washing, sorting, pre-cooling, cold storage, pulp extraction and processing will be commissioned by the CSIR-CFTRI.<br /><br />The CFTRI has developed a number of technologies on mangoes, including technology protocols for shelf-life extension that enable export of mangoes — Alphonso by ship, fortified mango bar, osmo air-dried mango slices, ready-to-serve fruit beverages, fruit syrups and squashes, pickles and chutneys, jam and jellies, etc. A few of these technologies will be transferred to MDC. MDC personnel will be trained on processing and quality analysis of the products. <br /><br />In turn, the MDC will also impart training to farmers and entrepreneurs, said Ram Rajasekharan, Director of CFTRI.<br /><br />It has to be noted that CSIR-CFTRI has been working with various state government departments for catalysing the growth in the nascent sector such as Nutraceuticals with Karnataka Biotechnology and Information Technology Services (KBITS); skill development in association with Karnataka Council for Technological Upgradation (KCTU), department of Industries and Commerce; ensuring nutritious meal to hostel students with department of Social Welfare; and providing nutritional supplements to anganwadis with department of Women and Child Development, he said.<br /><br />The MoU documents were exchanged between Ram Rajasekharan and Kadri-gowda, Managing Director of KSMD&MCL, during a function held at CFTRI, recently.</p>
<p>The city-based CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Karnataka State Mango Development and Marketing Corporation Limited (KSMD&MCL), under the department of Horticulture, here recently for establishing a Mango Development Centre (MDC) in Chintamani taluk of Kolar district.<br /><br /></p>.<p>As per the agreement, the CFTRI will function as a technical consultant for creating infrastructure for post-harvest handling of mangoes. The plant with unit operations such as washing, sorting, pre-cooling, cold storage, pulp extraction and processing will be commissioned by the CSIR-CFTRI.<br /><br />The CFTRI has developed a number of technologies on mangoes, including technology protocols for shelf-life extension that enable export of mangoes — Alphonso by ship, fortified mango bar, osmo air-dried mango slices, ready-to-serve fruit beverages, fruit syrups and squashes, pickles and chutneys, jam and jellies, etc. A few of these technologies will be transferred to MDC. MDC personnel will be trained on processing and quality analysis of the products. <br /><br />In turn, the MDC will also impart training to farmers and entrepreneurs, said Ram Rajasekharan, Director of CFTRI.<br /><br />It has to be noted that CSIR-CFTRI has been working with various state government departments for catalysing the growth in the nascent sector such as Nutraceuticals with Karnataka Biotechnology and Information Technology Services (KBITS); skill development in association with Karnataka Council for Technological Upgradation (KCTU), department of Industries and Commerce; ensuring nutritious meal to hostel students with department of Social Welfare; and providing nutritional supplements to anganwadis with department of Women and Child Development, he said.<br /><br />The MoU documents were exchanged between Ram Rajasekharan and Kadri-gowda, Managing Director of KSMD&MCL, during a function held at CFTRI, recently.</p>