AMST, AFST(I) Thrissur Chapter and Kerala Veterinary & Animal Sciences University in jointly organised an International Conference at Mannuthy on Convergence of Technology and Policy for Sustainable Meat Production from 25th to 28th Oct 2021. It was conducted in a hybrid mode, both physically and online, in Zoom platform.  Honourable Vice Chancellor, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Prof. Dr. M.R Saseendranath inaugurated the International Conference which was conducted in six Technical Sessions, viz, Food Processing Technologies, Food Safety and Quality, Special Session with International Speakers, By-product Utilisation and Waste Management, Sustainability and Policy in Food Production Systems and Industry Academia Meet.

Dr. B Sunil, President, AMST presided over the inaugural function. Prof Dr. J Abraham, Patron, AMST announced the AMST awards and Prof Dr. George T Oommen, President, AFSTI Thrissur Chapter released the Compendium of the Seminar. Prof. Dr. S.N Rajakumar, Chairman, Indian Dairy Association, Kerala Chapter released the Book on “Convergence of Technology and Policy for Sustainable Meat Production” and Prof. Dr. M.K. Narayanan, Director of Entrepreneurship  Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Dr. V. M. Harris, President, Kerala State Veterinary Council, Dr. Jose James, Managing Director, Kerala Livestock Development Board and Mr. Krishna Prasad, Chairman, Brahmagiri Development Society (Malabar Meat) addressed the delegates and participants. Dr. V.N Vasudevan, Organizing Secretary welcomed the gathering and Dr. V. Appa Rao, General Secretary, AMST proposed the vote of thanks.

i) Preconference Workshop for Career Guidance to young Veterinarians and Food Technology students was organized on 25th Oct Dr. Lissy Vadakkel, Consultant and Head of Education, Business Services, British Council East Asia, Singapore,  Dr. Poulson Joseph, Ph.D., Director, Food Protection & Protein Innovation, Kalsec Inc., Michigan, USA, Mr. Rajesh, K., Chief Quality & Sustainability Officer, Licious, Bangaluru,  Dr Thomas Sebastian, Federal Veterinarian, Canada and Dr. Aparna Sandeep, Quality Officer, Bindaree Food Group (Beef  Processors), Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia handled the workshop session in the conference.

ii) Keynote Addresses, Lead Papers, Oral Presentations and Posters in the six different scientific sessions of the seminar were presented on 26, 27 and 28 Oct 2021 in which over 127 researchers including PG students and Faculty participated. A total of 268 participants from all over India and abroad registered and attended the conference via online as well as offline mode.  Members of AFSTI Thrissur Chapter, Faculty and students from the various Colleges and Veterinary University also attended the sessions online.  Panel of Judges evaluated the Oral presentations and Posters of Faculty and students separately and for Young Scientists Award.

iii) Industry Academia Meet: Dr D V R Prakash Rao, M D of Prakash Foods and Feed Mills Pvt Ltd and President NAVS inaugurated the Meet.  Thirteen industries, viz, Prakash Foods and Feed Mills Pvt Ltd, Frigorifico A P Foods Pvt Ltd, Venkies, Suguna, Licious, Star Proteins Pvt Ltd Meat Products of India, KEPCO, Sumeru, Mavitech, MILMA, Kerala Solvent Extraction and Kerala Livestock Devpt Board  participated in the Meet.  Dr. C K Thotta CEO of Star Proteins Pvt Ltd and Dr.S P Fonglan, GM, Processed Food Div of Frigorifico A P Foods Pvt Ltd delivered the Keynote addresses and interacted with Academia and expressed their willingness to finance research projects on problems encountered by industries in food processing.

iv) Valedictory Function

In the valedictory address by the Chief Guest Dr. N Ashok, Director of Academics and Research, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University emphasised the need for recycling and efficient processing of abattoir wastes to control animal diseases and environmental pollution.  The various awards were announced by Dr. N Ashok.  Dr. C Latha, Dean, Veterinary College, Mannuthy welcomed the gathering and Dr. Narendra Babu, Secretary, AMST proposed the vote of thanks.  Dr. Sajeev Kumar, CEO of Kudumbashree Kerala Chicken Project felicitated the award winners.

Dr. B. Sunil, Professor and Head, Department of Livestock Products Technology and Meat Technology Unit gave an overview of the seminar deliberations while Dr. V.N. Vasudevan presented the report and Dr. Koshy John, Dean College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode released the Seminar Recommendations. The areas of priority are:  Agribusiness incubation for small and medium scale entrepreneurs; Industry academia interface; development of technology innovations, development of infrastructure and skilled HR in processing and packaging sectors; research on management practices to cope up with heat stress in dairy and meat animals; safety aspects of functional, novel and ethnic foods; innovations in neutraceuticals for geriatric and invalid patients, developing high value novel foods and dietary supplements from marine sources, enforcement of animal welfare rules for slaughter animals through improved diagnostic, laboratory and slaughter facilities;  application of One Health approach to address emerging and re-emerging food-borne health hazards; energy efficient management of slaughterhouse wastes; improving traceability in the food supply chain and programmes to improve consumer awareness on food quality and safety.

Recommendations of the Conference

• Methods / strategies for development and validation of functional food and meat products and to highlight their benefits in the diet.
• Marketing of functional, novel and ethnic foods is on the increase and their food safety aspects are to be addressed for enforcement of Regulations.
• Emphasis on the immense potential to generate income and employment through production of the ethnic meat products.
• Scope for improving the development of designer lipids, techniques of enzymatic manipulation of fatty acids, as well as commercial availability of value-enhanced products is gaining priority in recent years.
• Freeze dried functional beverage mixes containing dairy and fruit components including probiotics, phytonutrient-enriched products for longer storage is a potential area of development.
• Scope and innovations in nutraceuticals for developing high value novel foods and dietary supplements from marine sources including aquaceuticals is a recent field of intensive research and development.