The two-day national conference on Recent Advancements in Food Analytical Chemistry (RAFAC 2026), organised by the Coconut Development Board, commenced on Wednesday with a strong emphasis on innovation, collaboration and emerging technologies.
In his introductory remarks, Prabhat Kumar, Chief Executive Officer of the Board, highlighted the need to simplify scientific knowledge and foster institutional collaboration to drive innovation, particularly through the integration of AI and Machine Learning.
C. Anandharamakrishnan, Director of National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, underlined the importance of advanced analytical technologies and value chain transformation to enhance India’s global competitiveness in the coconut sector.
Giridhar Parvathan, Director of Central Food Technological Research Institute, stressed the role of modern analytical techniques and value addition in ensuring food safety and adherence to global standards.
George Ninan, Director of Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, called for cost-effective and rapid analytical methods along with integrated traceability systems across food supply chains.
T. B. Kalaiselvan, Secretary-cum-Scientific Director of the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, emphasised the importance of quality, ethics and regulatory compliance in safeguarding public health.
Hanumanthe Gowda, Chief Coconut Development Officer, described RAFAC as a key platform for advancing research, innovation and collaboration in the food and coconut sectors.
A conference handbook on recent advancements in food analytical techniques was also released during the inaugural session.
Published on April 29, 2026