Mysuru's CSIR–CFTRI collaborates with Kudumbashree to empower women

Mysuru: In an effort to empower women by transforming them into successful entrepreneurs in the food industry through sharing technical knowledge and skill development, the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CSIR-CFTRI), Mysuru, has entered into a collaboration with Kudumbashree, the poverty eradication and women empowerment mission of State government of Kerala.

With this collaboration, CSIR-CFTRI will provide technical training, capacity building and expertise in food processing to its micro-enterprise units and 94 technology transfer agreements, one of the largest such engagements for the CFTRI.

Kudumbashree, Kerala’s flagship women-led livelihood mission, has emerged as a strong national and global player in value-added food products and entrepreneurship. It focuses on empowering women entrepreneurs through scientifically validated, and market-ready food technologies.

In a span of five months, nearly 50 CFTRI technologies have already been demonstrated, reflecting rapid implementation and effective coordination. The remaining 44 technologies are in advanced stages and are expected to be transferred shortly.

As a major milestone, around 12 CSIR–CFTRI-based food products, developed by Kudumbashree, have been formally launched. The products are not limited to domestic markets, but have successfully entered global markets, including the Gulf region, marking CFTRI’s international technology footprint. The global launch underscores the robustness, regulatory compliance, and export-readiness of CSIR–CFTRI food technologies. The products were officially launched by M B Rajesh, Minister for Local Self Governments, in Kerala.

The CFTRI–Kudumbashree partnership serves as a national model for inclusive technology transfer, women empowerment, and global market integration. This collaboration reinforces CSIR–CFTRI’s mandate of translating research into societal and economic impact at scale, according to CFTRI officials