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Call to upgrade vegoil technology

Our Bureau

MUMBAI, May 2

THERE is an urgent need for technology upgradation to enable the vegetable oil industry to compete effectively in the global market, according to Dr J.S. Khan, Senior Deputy Advisor to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

Speaking at the national seminar on `Technology upgradation in the vegetable oil industry' organised by the Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA) and a host of Government departments, research organisations and industry associations, here on Apr il 28, Dr Khan said electrical energy conservation, reduction of solvent losses, pre-processing and processing technologies for production of good quality edible oil and quality assurance through appropriate instrumentation were the issues that needed at tention.

Giving examples to demonstrate that high quality products could be produced with the adoption of new technology and such products commanded premium prices in the market despite competition, the scientist highlighted the need for contract farming to impro ve oilseeds productivity.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the President of SEA, Mr Sandip Bajoria, referred to the dire need for resurrecting the processing industry from a host of ills such as technological obsolescence, outdated processes, under-utilised capacity and below par production. Lamenting about inadequate quality, hygiene and safety standards in a majority of industrial units, the SEA chief said the industry must emerge a winner at the national level first so as to be in the race for the world market.

The seminar was chaired by Mr O.P. Goenka, a well-known technocrat, who said the industry must take advantage of advances made in the processing of oil bearing material and vegetable oils to be able to improve quality and provide consumers a better produ ct. Over a dozen papers on different aspects of processing technology were presented by experts for the benefit of over 150 delegates drawn from the industry.