KKHSOU Hosts Seminar on Northeast India’s Traditional Food Heritage Experts Urge Scientific Validation and Commercialization
On May 8, a one-day regional seminar titled “Traditional Food Knowledge of Northeast India: Power and Opportunity” was held at Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University (KKHSOU). Organized in collaboration with the Council for Research and Trade in Traditional Foods (CPRTTF), the seminar aimed to discuss the preservation, scientific validation, commercialization, and promotion of the Northeast’s rich traditional food heritage.
Dr. Basanti Baruah, Chairperson of CPRTTF Northeast, emphasized the need to document local food knowledge and integrate it with modern scientific methods to create sustainable livelihoods. National Perspective Surendra Singh Ghonkrokta, National President of CPRTTF, stressed the scientific validation of traditional food systems and advocated for research-based programs to make indigenous food resources more robust. Rural Development: Loken Das, Chief General Manager of NABARD Assam Regional Office, spoke on the necessity of connecting traditional food practices with value-chain creation for rural development and sustainable living.
Professor Rajendra Prasad Das, Vice-Chancellor of KKHSOU, highlighted the importance of involving the academic community in research activities related to indigenous knowledge systems.
Sessions and Presentations
The seminar included oral and poster presentations. Topics Traditional food knowledge and processing/preservation methods. Food-related perspectives, restrictions, and medicinal properties. The impact of indigenous fruits and minor foods versus “fast food.”
Researchers and students presented several papers highlighting the nutritional, therapeutic, and commercial potential of indigenous food resources. Ajit Kumar Baruah, Managing Director of “Bhogali Jalpan,” inaugurated an exhibition featuring traditional food items and innovations. Amrit Deuri, Managing Director of Ashray Food Private Limited, was also in attendance. A specialized session titled “Academic Efforts to Fill Needs for Research, Trade, and Expansion Programs” featured experts like Professor Nripendra Narayan Sharma, Dr. Charulata (Chief Scientist at CSIR-NIScPR, New Delhi), and Subhash Bhattacharya (Vice President of CPRTTF Northeast).