Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal said on Monday that National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) has potential to become the Harvard of food processing technology and management sector.

"NIFTEM is a one of its kind institute and has the potential to become the Harvard of food processing technology and management sector. A university which despite being nascent, has already been ranked 50th out of 3007 universities in India", said Badal.

Addressing the 6th Annual Meeting of NIFTEM-Industry Forum Badal said "Like people world over, Indians are also becoming increasingly aware of healthy food habits. I have asked NIFTEM to explore how it can come up with 'Brand NIFTEM' which is healthier, fresher and cheaper."

The Minister added "I foresee a lot of potential for the new facilities created at NIFTEM. The food testing lab should become a nodal lab for Food Safety Standards Authority of India and also both domestic and international companies to rely on for testing of their products."

The Minister added that NIFTEM should become the brand of the healthiest version of the processed food that they have to offer.

She added that the Ministry along with NIFTEM has explored how NIFTEM can open up its incubation centres to new entrepreneurs can try out new things while also providing them a market by opening at least 2 outlets- one at NIFTEM and onein the Ministry premises.

The minister invited suggestions from food processing industry on how to best utilize the facilities at NIFTEM and make them beneficial to all stakeholders.

The Minister invited the industry gathering to partner with NIFTEM and evolve as a guide to help the Ministry form policies for the food processing sector.