CSIR-CFTRI inaugurates integrated oilseed processing unit
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CSIR-CFTRI director Giridhar Parvatham at the launch of the integrated oilseed processing unit at CSIR-CFTRI in Mysuru. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The Integrated Oilseed Processing Unit at CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CSIR-CFTRI) in Mysuru was inaugurated by Dr. Giridhar Parvatam, director, CSIR-CFTRI, recently on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Dr. V. Subramanian, founder director of CSIR-CFTRI.
The facility marks an important step towards the efficient utilisation and processing of oilseeds, technology development, and value addition, supporting India’s goal of greater self-sufficiency in edible oil production while promoting sustainable processing, enhancing farmer income, and fostering entrepreneurship, according to CSIR-CFTRI.
The facility currently provides a platform for pilot-scale and pre-commercial oilseed processing, with capabilities in oil extraction, filtration, refining, product development, and quality evaluation. The existing infrastructure includes an oil extraction unit (50 kg/hour), filtration unit (50 L/hour), short-path molecular distillation unit (up to 5 L/hour), equipment for oilseed-based paste and spread making, energy bar production, and other essential instruments for edible oil quality analysis.
The facility has been developed through various government- and industry-sponsored R&D projects, including CSIR Mission projects, reflecting CSIR-CFTRI’s continued efforts to translate research into practical technologies. The facility is also being further expanded under the CSIR-ULIP project, which will strengthen its capabilities across the oilseed processing chain, from pre-processing to packaging, including adulteration detection, process optimisation, and product development, a press release said.
“The expanded facility will further support technology demonstration, scale-up, pre-commercial assessment, and technology transfer, enabling promising technologies to move closer to wider adoption and commercial application,” the release added.
The Integrated Oilseed Processing Unit is envisaged as a common platform connecting researchers with farmers, industry, MSMEs, start-ups, and entrepreneurs, with particular opportunities for novel and underutilised oilseeds. “By providing access to processing and product-development infrastructure, the facility can help farmers and entrepreneurs add greater value to oilseeds, develop new products and create new livelihood opportunities, including for women entrepreneurs and rural enterprises,” the CSIR-CFTRI said.
The facility aligns with national priorities of self-sufficiency in edible oil production, sustainable food processing, agricultural value addition, enhanced farmer income and technology-driven entrepreneurship. It can contribute to a more resilient oilseed ecosystem by encouraging the local processing and value addition of oilseeds, creating opportunities closer to the source of production and strengthening linkages between farmers, researchers, and industry.
“The facility is intended to ensure that the value of oilseed research reaches beyond the laboratory to farmers, entrepreneurs, industry, and society.”
The facility was established with the guidance of Dr. Rajagopal K., Head, Department of Biochemistry, and coordinated by Dr. P. Vijayaraj, Scientist E, with the support of CSIR-CFTRI scientists and technical staff.
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