Minimum Duration: 1 Year
Maximum Duration: 4 Years
Course Fee: Rs. 10,600
Minimum Age: No bar 
Maximum Age: No bar

Eligibility:

• 10+2 pass-outs / Bachelor Preparatory Programme (BPP) from IGNOU
• 10th pass students can enroll simultaneously for the BPP and the Diploma programme

Programme overview

The Diploma Programme in Value Added Products from Fruits and Vegetables aims to develop competent human resources in the field of post harvest management of fruits and vegetables and production of value added products from them.

It intends to inculcate vocational and entrepreneurial skills to widen employment opportunities, particularly among rural youth and the disadvantaged sections of the society as well as self employment. It seeks to address the workforce requirements of the food processing industries and focuses on upgrading the knowledge and skills of existing workers.

Objectives
The main objective of the programme is to:

• Provide the knowledge & skills for minimising the post-harvest losses and production of value added food products,
• Develop human resource for post harvest management and for primary processing of fruits and vegetables produce at the production areas/ clusters,
•  Develop youth as young entrepreneurs for self employment through food processing and associated activities,
• Impart knowledge and technical proficiency in:

Procurement of raw materials,

• Preparation of value added products,
•  Prevention of losses in fresh and processed horticulture produce,
•  Marketing and economical aspects,
• Managing small and medium enterprises.

Courses

CourseCode	Course Name	Credits
BPVI-001	Food Fundamentals	4
BPVI-002	Principles of Post Harvest Management	4
BPVI-003	Food Chemistry and Physiology	4
BPVI-004	Food Processing and Engineering I	4
BPVI- 005	Food Microbiology	4
BPVI-006	Food Processing and Engineering II	4
BPVI-007	Food Quality Testing and Evaluation	4
BPVI-008	Entrepreneurship and Marketing	4

Fee Concession
The fee concession is available to the following category of students:

• All the candidates from the rural areas shall be entitled for fifty percent fee concession subject to the production of domicile certificates.
• Students from urban areas living below poverty line may also be given fiftty percent fee concession subject to production of income certificate

Target Group
Rural Youth, Senior Secondary pass-outs, Skilled workers in food industries, Small and medium entrepreneurs involved in post harvest management & processing of fruits and vegetables, and Farmers & members Fruit Growers Cooperatives 

Job Opportunities
Procurement assistant, fruits and vegetables grader, post harvest technician, plant operator/production technician/supervisor in fruit and vegetable processing industry, quality control assistant, packaging supervisor, cold storage supervisor, transport supervisor, retail supervisor, marketing assistant, trainer and self entrepreneur.

Student Support Activities
Learning Material: The printed study material is sent to the registered students at home by post.

Audio-visual learning aids: The learning package also contains audio and video cassettes and CDs which have been produced by the University. A video programme is usually of 25-30 minutes duration. These programmes can be heard/viewed at the study centre during specific sessions, or purchased for use at home.

Counselling: Counselling sessions are held according to a schedule drawn up by the study centre coordinator, usually during weekends.

TV counselling and Tele-conferencing: Through Gyan Darshan Channels and EduSat. One Gyan Darshan channel is available on DTH platform.

Radio Counselling: Through phone-in programmes on AIR and Gyan Vani.            *1 credit = 30 hours of student’s study time