NIFTEM-K Hosts India–Canada Roundtable on Pulse Protein Innovation

National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Kundli (NIFTEM-K) hosted Indian and Canadian experts on October 13, 2026. The high-level roundtable focused on pulse protein innovation and strategic research. As an Institute of National Importance under the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, NIFTEM-K leads this initiative. The partnership accelerates bilateral growth in food processing and sustainable nutrition. 

Canadian and Indian Delegates Partner for Growth

Ken Cheveldayoff, Minister of Advanced Education for the Government of Saskatchewan, led the Canadian delegation alongside provincial representatives and leaders from the University of Saskatchewan. Vice-President (Research) Baljit Singh and senior faculty members represented the university, while representatives from Pulse Canada, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, and Alberta Pulse Growers contributed industry insights. On the Indian side, experts from Nutrition International, ICAR–Indian Institute of Pulses Research, ICRISAT, IIT Delhi, the India Pulses and Grains Association, and leading food industry enterprises actively participated.

Driving Actionable Milestones Beyond Agreements

NIFTEM-K Director Dr. Harinder Singh Oberoi set a clear, action-oriented tone during the event. He emphasized that the existing Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Saskatchewan must yield concrete, time-bound results. Building on seven months of steady collaboration, Dr. Oberoi established a definitive target: creating a joint Centre of Excellence at NIFTEM-K within the coming year through structured institutional coordination.

Baljit Singh outlined immediate operational steps supporting this vision. The University of Saskatchewan has already selected PhD researchers to conduct part of their studies at NIFTEM-K. Additionally, the team submitted a collaborative research project targeting sustainable lentil fortification for Canadian government grant funding to fight global malnutrition.

Tackling Industry Hurdles in Plant-Based Protein

Participants openly addressed critical technical barriers that hinder the widespread commercialization of pulse proteins:

• Raw Material Quality: Overcoming inconsistent raw material standards across supply chains.
• Processing Efficiency: Decreasing high energy consumption during protein isolation and extraction.
• Functional Integrity: Preserving structural and nutritional qualities during food manufacturing.
• Texture Optimization: Improving the texture and taste of finished plant-based food products.

To address these hurdles, both nations outlined key priorities for the next two years. These priorities include advanced protein extraction techniques, value-added food development, joint doctoral programs, faculty exchange initiatives, and joint bids for competitive international research grants. Deep industry integration will ensure that scientific breakthroughs transition seamlessly into scalable consumer products.

Establishing a Long-Term Strategic Framework

The event concluded with a clear commitment to turn discussions into actionable timelines and defined responsibilities. NIFTEM-K and the University of Saskatchewan will co-chair the upcoming Centre of Excellence, aligning academic excellence, government funding, and commercial market demands. This landmark meeting marks a decisive step forward for India–Canada collaboration in plant-based nutrition and sustainable food engineering.