Students of the National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management-Thanjavur (NIFTEM-T) have been encouraged to drive the global adoption of millets by developing innovative products that can position the traditional grain alongside internationally recognized health foods such as oats.
Delivering the convocation address at NIFTEM-T in Melavasthachavadi, Thanjavur, recently, N. Kalaiselvi, Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) and Director-General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), called upon graduates to leverage food technology and innovation to promote millets on a global scale.
Highlighting the growing international interest in India, Dr. Kalaiselvi said the country’s reputation is increasingly shaped by its intellectual capabilities, ethical values and scientific advancements. She noted that millets, known for their high fibre content and low glycemic index, possess immense potential to become a universally accepted health food, particularly for diabetic consumers.
“If oats can be promoted worldwide as a nutritious food, there is no reason why millets cannot emerge as a universal product,” she said, urging students to focus on creating products that meet international quality and safety standards.
Dr. Kalaiselvi emphasized that emerging technologies involving millets, traditional grains, probiotics, functional ingredients and nutraceuticals are opening new avenues for food innovation and value creation. She encouraged graduates to develop products capable of competing in global markets while catering to India’s vast domestic consumer base.
She further observed that the food processing industry enjoys a unique advantage over many other sectors due to the country’s strong agricultural production base, ensuring a steady supply of raw materials.
C. Anandharamakrishnan, Director of the CSIR National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, highlighted the potential of millets to become a staple dietary option for diabetic consumers. He also urged students to explore opportunities in developing value-added products from coconuts and other agricultural commodities.
The event was attended by T.G. Sitharam, Chairperson of the Board of Governors, NIFTEM-T, and V. Palanimuthu, Director of NIFTEM-T, among other dignitaries.