Banaras Hindu University Launches Training on Functional Dairy Foods

Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has begun a 21-day advanced faculty training programme titled “Functional Dairy Foods: From Concept to Commercialisation.” This initiative, organised by the Department of Dairy Science and Food Technology under the Institute of Agricultural Sciences, is sponsored by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

The programme is designed to bring together 15 participants from ICAR-recognised institutes, state agricultural universities, and other institutions across India. Its main goal is to strengthen applied research skills and foster industry-linked thinking as the market shifts towards health-oriented dairy products.

During the inaugural session, Vice-Chancellor Prof Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi stressed the importance of innovation in dairy education, emphasizing the role of universities in developing value-added dairy products. Prof Anil Kumar Chauhan, the Course Director, explained the programme's structure, which connects core dairy science with real-world product development and market readiness.

The programme offers expert lectures, laboratory demonstrations, and technical sessions to provide hands-on exposure to functional dairy technologies. Participants will learn about recent advancements in dairy processing and functional product formulation, focusing on commercialisation pathways and regulatory considerations.

India's dairy sector is evolving from traditional liquid milk towards probiotics and fortified products. Such capacity-building initiatives are crucial for supporting research-led growth and enhancing collaboration between academia and industry in the functional dairy segment.