Choose Food Biotechnology with an MBA degree for a Sustainable Career

Food is a basic necessity to lead a healthy life. However, nearly half the population in India find it difficult to satisfy their satiety. Our agricultural sector has limitations in resources like land and water which further hamper the production of food. There is often a dearth of supplies of even essentials like milk, meat, cereals, bakery, fruits, vegetables, and pulses. This has led to the involvement of technology and innovation in the food production sector. Food Biotechnology is a branch of food science in which modern biotechnological techniques are applied. It is a process scientists’ use to enhance the production, nutritional value, safety, and taste of foods. It can also benefit the environment by improving crops so that they need fewer pesticides.

Interestingly, corporates today are on the lookout for food scientists who not only know their subject well but also have a sound knowledge of the market and its nuances. This has led to institutions taking a multidisciplinary approach which can provide students knowledge of both practices making them industry-ready. There is a greater demand today for students who are multi-skilled, so a B.Tech degree along with an MBA degree opens up a plethora of opportunities for students. It is a unique, but a relevant combination that will train and equip students with the needed knowledge to thrive in the industry.

The integrated BTech Food Technology with MBA programme lays a solid foundation in all areas for a student.

Food Biotechnology provides a comprehensive review of the biological and chemical concepts and covers topics ranging from molecular biology to industrial applications of food biotechnology for the improvement of food and food products. Students are taught how to increase the productivity of crops using genetic cloning, improve the nutritional value of food, dairy science, fermentations, beverage technology, meat and fish technology, rapid detection techniques of foodborne pathogens and more. Along with learning the important concepts of food science a student is also taught the management of food processing, storage, transportation, product design and functionality, FDA regulations, distribution, marketing, market research, international marketing, supply chain management, financial management, consumer behaviour, advertising etc.

Students are taught how to increase the productivity of crops using genetic cloning, improve the nutritional value of food, dairy science, fermentations, beverage technology, meat and fish technology, rapid detection techniques of foodborne pathogens and more.

Such a course provides for holistic training of a student and meets the requirements for careers in the dynamic food sector as well as for research and development.

Here are few career prospects that a dual degree with BTech and MBA can open up for you:

• Government Sector: Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Ministry of Food, Ministry of Food and Family Welfare and Ministry of Agriculture directly related to Food Technology and every year, thousands of posts are advertised. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, State Food Safety departments, Food Corporation of India, Centre and State warehouses, BIS, APEDA, Food Testing laboratories are the main Government based jobs, providers.

• Private Sector: The food sector represents 8 to 10% of total GDP. A lot of MNC and Private manufacturing, marketing and sale companies are there, which offers a good salary package to Food Technology Students e.g. Nestle, Britannia, ITC, Adani Group, Reliance, Danon, Amul etc.

• Entrepreneurship: A food graduate can start his/her own venture and it is possible in low investment. Bakery, Confectionary, Dairy, Microbial culture, fruit processing, milling are some the examples of successful businesses.

Note: The views expressed in this article are that of University of Petroleum and Energy Studies [UPES] and do not reflect/represent those of Shiksha