Motto: Innovation Drives Transformation

Centre for Research on Agri-Food Science and Technology (CRAFT)

STRATEGIC PLAN

This Center will be established at FUTIA to serve as a platform for networking of researchers and pooling resources from agri-food organisations, academic and governmental institutions at local and international levels. This will be the first and only research center focuses on agriculture, food science and nutrition in this region. As its vision, the Center will strive to be an excellent university-based agri-food research institution providing value-driven and real-world solutions to agricultural and food related issues nationally and globally. In other words, CRAFT will commit to searching for solutions through research on industrial challenges in agrifood sectors and to encourage culture of collaboration between members and external stakeholders. The Center will serve the needs of the School of Agricultural and Food Technology.
The Centre Philosophy
CRAFT Goals

The Centre Philosophy

  1. Foster Interdisciplinary Research: Bring together experts from various fields (agriculture, food science, technology, biology, chemistry, etc.) to tackle complex challenges in agri-food systems.
  2. Advance Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security: Develop innovative solutions for sustainable agriculture, food production, and processing to ensure global food security and environmental stewardship.
  3. Address Global Challenges: Address pressing issues like climate change, food waste, malnutrition, and resource depletion through cutting-edge research and technology transfer.
  4. Support Economic Development: Contribute to the growth of the agriculture and food industry, creating new opportunities for economic development and job creation.
  5. Enhance Education and Capacity Building: Provide a hub for experiential learning, training, and capacity building for students, researchers, and professionals in the agri-food sector.
  6. Foster Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing: Facilitate partnerships among academia, industry, government, and civil society to share knowledge, expertise, and resources for collective impact.

 

CRAFT Goals

The primary goals of a Centre for Research on Agri-Food Science and Technology are:
 
1. Sustainable Agriculture: Develop innovative solutions for environmentally friendly agriculture practices, crop improvement, and efficient water management.
2. Food Security: Improve food availability, accessibility, and utilization through enhanced food production, processing, and preservation technologies.
3. Nutrition and Health: Investigate the nutritional and health impacts of agri-food systems and develop solutions to address malnutrition and promote healthy eating.
4. Food Safety: Ensure the safety and quality of food products through research on detection, prevention, and control of contaminants and adulterants.
5. Technology Transfer: Facilitate the adoption of new technologies and innovations by farmers, industries, and communities to enhance productivity and efficiency.
6. Capacity Building: Provide training and education programs for students, researchers, and professionals to build expertise in agri-food science and technology.
7. Collaboration and Partnerships: Foster national and international collaborations to address global challenges and share knowledge, expertise, and resources.
8. Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Encourage innovation, incubation, and start-ups in agri-food technology to drive economic growth and job creation.
9. Policy and Advocacy: Inform and influence policy decisions and advocacy efforts to support sustainable agri-food systems and equitable access to resources.
10. Community Engagement: Engage with local communities, farmers, and industries to understand their needs and develop solutions that address their challenges and concerns.