India is one of the most important food producers in the world. It is the leading producer of milk, pulses, sugarcane and tea and the second largest producer of wheat, rice, fruits and vegetables. Although food processing is one of the biggest industries in India ranking fifth in terms of production, consumption, export and expected growth, it accounts for only 1.7 % of world trade in this sector. The industry is relatively new, fragmented and unorganized at present. However, the changing lifestyles, food habits, urbanization and organized food retail have been driving the growth of processed food sector and is poised to become one of the highest yielding sectors in India.

To meet the requirements for well qualified and trained manpower for this fast growing industry, a need was felt for starting of the B. Tech. (Food Science and Technology) degree program. This degree program was started in the year 2007–08 and offers various courses in specialized areas of Food and Nutritional Science, Food Processing Technology, Food and Industrial Microbiology, Food Engineering and Food Trade and Business Management in addition to basic and advance courses in related areas. Importance is given to both for theoretical as well as practical knowledge.

A separate Food Science block has been established with five teaching laboratories, viz, Food Microbiology and Fermentation Technology, Dairy Technology, Fruits and Vegetable Processing, Grain Milling Technology, and Baking and Extrusion technology which are fully functional. All class rooms are well furnished and equipped with modern teaching aids.

Major facilities/instruments in this department are lyophilizer, spray drier, de-husker, polisher, perler, flour mill, baking oven, extruder, blender, automated soxhlet apparatus, fruit & vegetable juicer, etc.

The students undergo extensive experiential learning in the modules of Fruit and Vegetable Processing, Grain Milling Technology, Baking Technology and Beverage Technology during the 7th semester.

As a part of the industrial work experience during the 8th Semester, the students undergo practical training in reputed institutions and food industries in the State such as CFTRI, Mysore; Cadburys, MTR Foods, Unibic Biscuits, Maiyas Foods and Beverages, Swastik Foods, and John Distilleries in Bangalore, United Breweries in Mangalore and CAMPCO at Puttur.

During the year 2010-11, six students secured ICAR non-JRF ranking and 17 students during the year 2011 – 12 have secured rankings. It is noteworthy that one of the students has secured THIRD Rank at All India level during the year 2011 – 12. Several graduates have secured jobs in prestigious food processing units.

Further the graduates have been admitted to Masters degree programs in various prestigious Universities and Institutions of the country such as Indian Institute of Technology, Varanasi; Haryana Agricultural University, Hissar; Anand; Agricultural University, Anand, Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad; University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore and Indian Institute of Crop Processing Technology (IICPT), Thanjavur. One of the students pursuing Masters degree program at IICPT has now been offered fellowship for carrying out research work in Canada