Central Institute of Post Harvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET)

The Central Institute of Post Harvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET) is a premier national research institute under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), dedicated to the study, development, and promotion of technologies that reduce post-harvest losses and improve the processing, preservation, and value addition of agricultural produce in India. Established to address one of the most critical challenges in Indian agriculture—post-harvest wastage—CIPHET plays a vital role in enhancing food security, farmers’ income, and the overall efficiency of the agri-food supply chain.

Establishment and Mandate

The institute was established in 1989 at Ludhiana, Punjab, as the Post Harvest Technology (PHT) Scheme under Punjab Agricultural University. It was later upgraded to a full-fledged ICAR institute in 1992 and renamed as the Central Institute of Post Harvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET).
CIPHET functions with the mandate to:

1. Undertake basic, strategic, and applied research in post-harvest engineering and technology for agricultural and horticultural crops.
2. Develop efficient processing, storage, and packaging technologies to minimise post-harvest losses.
3. Promote value addition and agribusiness opportunities through the development of small-scale and rural processing technologies.
4. Conduct training and capacity-building programmes for farmers, entrepreneurs, and extension workers.
5. Collaborate with national and international organisations in the field of food technology and agro-processing.

CIPHET’s mission aligns with India’s goal of achieving Doubling of Farmers’ Income through efficient post-harvest management and by strengthening the country’s agro-processing infrastructure.

Organisational Structure and Campuses

CIPHET operates through two major campuses:

1. CIPHET Ludhiana (Punjab):
   • The main campus and headquarters of the institute.
   • Focus areas: cereal processing, grain storage, oilseed handling, packaging, and food engineering.
2. CIPHET Abohar (Punjab):
   • Known as the Outreach Centre, established in 1989.
   • Focus areas: post-harvest technology for horticultural crops, especially fruits, vegetables, and plantation produce.

The institute’s multidisciplinary staff includes agricultural engineers, food technologists, microbiologists, and economists working collaboratively to develop end-to-end post-harvest solutions.

Research Divisions and Major Areas of Work

CIPHET carries out extensive research under various divisions and research programmes, addressing the entire value chain from harvest to consumption.

1. Crop Produce Storage and Structures:
   • Development of scientific storage structures and hermetic storage systems for cereals, pulses, and oilseeds.
   • Design of low-cost grain silos and improved packaging materials to maintain quality and prevent spoilage.
2. Food Engineering and Packaging:
   • Research on packaging innovations to enhance the shelf life and transportability of perishable produce.
   • Development of smart packaging technologies and biodegradable materials for sustainable storage.
3. Food Grains and Oilseeds Processing:
   • Development of small-scale processing equipment for pulses, oilseeds, and cereals.
   • Value addition through dehulling, milling, extrusion, and fortification techniques.
4. Horticultural Crop Processing:
   • Post-harvest handling and preservation techniques for fruits and vegetables.
   • Research on drying, dehydration, minimal processing, and cold storage technologies.
5. Livestock and Fisheries Product Processing:
   • Development of preservation and packaging technologies for meat, milk, and fish products.
   • Promotion of hygienic, small-scale processing models for rural entrepreneurs.
6. Bioenergy and Waste Utilisation:
   • Conversion of agro-industrial waste into biofuels, compost, and value-added by-products.
   • Development of biogas and biomass-based energy systems for farm-level sustainability.
7. Technology Transfer and Agribusiness Promotion:
   • Development and dissemination of farmer-friendly processing technologies.
   • Support to rural start-ups and small-scale industries through training and incubation programmes.

Major Achievements and Technologies Developed

CIPHET has made significant contributions in the field of post-harvest technology, helping reduce losses and increase the profitability of Indian farmers. Some of its notable achievements include:

1. Design of Grain Storage Structures:
   • Development of improved metal bin designs, bulk storage systems, and aeration control mechanisms to prevent pest and moisture damage.
2. Innovations in Fruit and Vegetable Preservation:
   • Low-cost evaporative-cooling chambers for short-term storage of fruits and vegetables in rural areas.
   • Technologies for dehydration, osmo-drying, and canning of perishable crops.
3. Processing Machinery:
   • Development of dal mills, groundnut decorticators, maize shellers, and turmeric polishers for small-scale operations.
   • Customised equipment for millet processing to support the government’s millet mission.
4. Ready-to-Eat and Ready-to-Cook Foods:
   • Formulation of nutritious convenience foods using locally available raw materials.
   • Pilot-scale development of extruded snacks, flours, and instant mixes.
5. Value Addition of By-products:
   • Utilisation of crop residues for manufacturing biochar, organic manure, and renewable energy.
   • Technologies for value-added processing of fruit peels and pulps into food additives and nutraceuticals.
6. CIPHET-PH Vision:
   • Development of a Post-Harvest Loss Assessment Methodology for quantifying losses across India’s food supply chains.
   • National surveys revealed post-harvest losses ranging between 4.6% and 15.9% depending on the crop, guiding policy interventions.
7. Entrepreneurship Promotion:
   • Establishment of Agri-Business Incubation (ABI) Centres to train and mentor start-ups in food processing.
   • Development of farmer-centric models for micro-enterprise creation in rural areas.

Collaborations and Linkages

CIPHET works in collaboration with numerous national and international agencies to enhance research and technology outreach.

• National Partners:
  • ICAR institutes such as CFTRI (Mysuru), NIFTEM (Haryana), and IARI (New Delhi).
  • State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).
  • Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) and National Horticulture Board (NHB).
• International Collaborations:
  • FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization)
  • International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
  • Universities and research centres in the USA, UK, and Southeast Asia for technology exchange and capacity building.

Capacity Building and Outreach

CIPHET conducts regular training, workshops, and demonstration programmes to disseminate its technologies among stakeholders. Its Extension Wing provides hands-on exposure to:

• Post-harvest management and value addition techniques.
• Processing machinery operation and maintenance.
• Quality assurance, food safety, and packaging practices.

The institute’s Farmer FIRST, Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav, and Agri-Business Incubation (ABI) programmes link research outcomes directly to rural beneficiaries, empowering smallholders to adopt sustainable processing technologies.

Contribution to National Food Security and Economy

India loses an estimated ₹90,000 crore worth of food annually due to post-harvest losses. CIPHET’s research and interventions have significantly contributed to:

• Reducing food wastage across storage, transport, and processing stages.
• Enhancing shelf life and market value of perishable commodities.
• Generating employment in rural areas through micro-enterprises and value-added food processing units.
• Strengthening agri-food infrastructure, contributing to the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.

By improving efficiency in post-harvest handling and value addition, CIPHET supports India’s transition from a production-oriented agricultural system to a market-driven, value-oriented economy.

Recent Research and Innovations

Recent developments at CIPHET include:

• Solar-powered drying and storage systems to ensure energy-efficient preservation.
• IoT-based monitoring systems for grain storage and warehouse management.
• Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) for extending the freshness of fruits and vegetables.
• Development of millet-based value-added products aligned with the International Year of Millets (2023).
• Cold chain optimisation models for perishable commodities.

These innovations aim to reduce losses, enhance income, and ensure sustainability across India’s agricultural supply chain.