- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Wed, 09 Apr 2025 04:10 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has initiated a formal assessment for the establishment of the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) in Bihar. A team of officials, including the Ministry Secretary, is currently touring various locations in the state—particularly in North Bihar and Hajipur—alongside the Department of Industries, to evaluate suitable sites.
The proposal to set up NIFTEM in Bihar had received support in this year’s Union Budget, reflecting a strategic push to strengthen the food processing sector in the eastern region. Currently, there are only two NIFTEMs in the country—Kundli (Haryana) and Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu).
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Officials believe that establishing a NIFTEM in Bihar will significantly boost food processing activities in the state and benefit the entire eastern belt. Despite Bihar’s abundant production of fruits and vegetables, the state lacks adequate food processing infrastructure.
Since 2012–13, NIFTEM has been offering BTech and MTech programs, along with incubation centers for food product testing. Bihar’s Industry Minister Nitish Mishra emphasised the potential advantages, stating that investor interest in food processing units has grown, and that a favorable business environment—particularly around Makhana—has started to take shape in the region.
