Academic Department
Food and Nutrition
Constituent Department under College of Community Science
The Department of Food & Nutrition is committed to advancing food, nutrition and health through quality teaching, innovative research, extension and capacity-building. Established in 1973, the Department contributes to human resource development and addresses emerging challenges related to food and nutrition security, public health nutrition, clinical nutrition, food safety, food processing, nutraceuticals and sustainable agri-food systems, with particular emphasis on the needs of Northeast India. The Department integrates scientific knowledge with practical and field-based learning and develops need-based technologies, products and interventions for individuals, families, communities and other stakeholders. Through interdisciplinary research, community engagement, entrepreneurship and technology transfer, the Department contributes to improved nutrition, health, food security and livelihood opportunities.
Year of Establishment – 1973
Department of Food & Nutrition, College of Community Science, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat
VISIONTo emerge as a nationally recognized centre of excellence in Food and Nutrition Science, fostering scientific excellence, innovation and transformative solutions for food security, nutrition and sustainable health, with special emphasis on Northeast India.
MISSION· To impart quality education and develop competent and skilled human resources in Food and Nutrition.
· To advance knowledge through innovative, interdisciplinary and need-based research addressing food, nutrition and health challenges.
· To empower individuals, families and communities through evidence-based nutrition education, extension and capacity-building.
· To develop and disseminate safe, nutritious, culturally appropriate and value-added food technologies and products.
· To strengthen the interface between food, nutrition, agriculture and health for sustainable food and nutrition security.
· To promote entrepreneurship, technology transfer and community-based interventions for improved livelihoods and well-being.
ACADEMIC & RESEARCH AREASThe Department offers academic and research opportunities in diverse areas of Food and Nutrition, including:
· Maternal, Infant and Child Nutrition
· Clinical and Therapeutic Nutrition
· Public Health Nutrition and Epidemiology
· Sports and Wellness Nutrition
· Nutrigenetics and Metabolomics
· Food Analysis and Product Development
· Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods
· Food Processing and Preservation
· Food Microbiology
· Food Safety and Quality Control
· Tribal Nutrition
· Nutrition-Sensitive Agri-Food Systems
The Department also promotes hands-on laboratory training, field-based learning, internships, community engagement, entrepreneurship and technology transfer, connecting academic knowledge with real-world applications.
From Food Science to Nutrition Solutions
Teaching • Research • Extension • Innovation • Entrepreneurship
| # | Course No. | Course Title | Credit | Syllabus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FN 501 * | Macro and Micro Nutrients in Human Nutrition | 3 (3+0) | — |
| 2 | FN 502 * | Public Health and Nutrition | 3 (2+1) | — |
| 3 | FN 503 * | Techniques in Food Analysis | 3 (1+2) | — |
| 4 | FN 504 * | Diet Therapy | 3 (2+1) | — |
| 5 | FN 505 | Nutrition and Physical Fitness | 3 (2+1) | — |
| 6 | FN 506 | Developments in Nutrition and Immunity | 2 (2+0) | — |
| 7 | FN 507 | Clinical Nutrition | 3 (2+1) | — |
| 8 | FN 508 | Nutrition Counselling | 2 (0+2) | — |
| 9 | FN 509 | Food Safety and Standards | 3 (2+1) | — |
| 10 | FN 510 | Nutritional Challenges in Life Cycle | 3 (3+0) | — |
| 11 | FN 511 | Food Science | 3 (2+1) | — |
| 12 | FN 512 | Food Processing Technology | 3 (2+1) | — |
| 13 | FN 513 | Human Physiology | 3 (3+0) | — |
| 14 | FN 514 | Institutional Food Service Management | 2 (1+1) | — |
* indicates compulsory courses.
| # | Course No. | Course Title | Credit | Syllabus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FN 601 * | Macronutrient Metabolism | 3 (3+0) | — |
| 2 | FN 602 * | Micronutrient Metabolism | 2 (2+0) | — |
| 3 | FN 603 * | Nutrition and Agricultural Interface | 3 (3+0) | — |
| 4 | FN 604 | Global Nutritional Problems | 2 (2+0) | — |
| 5 | FN 605 | Nutrition in Calamities | 2 (2+0) | — |
| 6 | FN 606 | Maternal and Child Nutrition | 2 (2+0) | — |
| 7 | FN 607 | Hormones and Enzymes | 2 (2+0) | — |
| 8 | FN 608 | Energy Metabolism | 2 (2+0) | — |
| 9 | FN 609 | Application of Biotechnology in Food Science and Nutrition | 3 (3+0) | — |
| 10 | FN 610 | Recent Trends in Food Science and Technology | 3 (3+0) | — |
* indicates compulsory courses.
Department Faculty Members
9 Faculty
Dr. Mamoni Das
Dean, Faculty of Community Science View Profile
Dr. Moloya Gogoi
Associate Professor View Profile
Dr. Luna Dutta Baruah
Assistant Professor View Profile
Dr. Abnita Thakuria
Assistant Professor View Profile
Dr. Manisha Choudhury
Assistant Professor View Profile
Dr. Manisha Sharma
Assistant Professor View Profile
Dr. Jwngsar Baro
Assistant Professor View Profile
Dr. Premila L Bordoloi
Assistant Professor View Profile
Dr. Priyanka Nath
Assistant Professor View ProfileDepartment Achievements & Accolades
2 Records
The Department of Food & Nutrition transforms locally available and culturally important food resources into safe, nutritious, convenient and value-added products, with a focus on processing innovation, shelf-life enhancement and technology transfer.
Technologies commercialised
01 | Assam Lemon Juice
Preservative-free, non-bitter lemon juice developed using ultrasonication-assisted debittering and mild pasteurization, with extended refrigerated shelf life.
02 | Assam Mix
A complementary food mix specially developed to support optimal nutrition during the complementary feeding period, with a formulation designed for easy digestion and suitability for growing infants.
03 | Minor Fruit Products
Eight value-added product technologies developed from Assam’s indigenous minor fruits, including outenga, leteku, bogori, poniol and mirika tenga, with technologies transferred to entrepreneurs in Assam for commercialisation.
04 | Ginger & Papaya Candy
Value-added products developed under a USAID-supported project, with the technology transferred for commercial production.
05 | Foxtail Millet Khichdi Mix
A nutritious, ready-to-cook millet-based product, formulated to suit local tastes and dietary preferences, offering convenience and nutritional value.
From indigenous resources to market-ready innovation — research translated into products, livelihoods and community nutrition.
The Department of Food & Nutrition translates research-based knowledge into practical skills, entrepreneurship and community action through training and capacity-building programmes. During 2021–2026, the Department conducted and supported diverse initiatives for tribal farmers, women, entrepreneurs, ICDS functionaries, students and community stakeholders.
Training programmes supported by ICAR (Tribal Sub-Plan), ICSSR, UNICEF, MSME, NEDFi and AICRP–Women in Agriculture, along with departmental initiatives, covered areas including sustainable livelihoods, food processing and value addition, food preservation and safety, nutrition, entrepreneurship, digital market linkages and women in agriculture.Trainings and capacity-building programmes have also been extended beyond Assam to Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, strengthening regional outreach across the North-Eastern states.
A major component of the Department's outreach has been capacity building of women and farming communities, strengthening their knowledge, skills and opportunities for livelihood enhancement and improved nutrition. The Department has also contributed to maternal nutrition capacity building of ICDS functionaries across Jorhat, Nagaon and Goalpara.
Through these initiatives, the Department continues to bridge the gap between research, training and field-level application, strengthening knowledge dissemination, skill development and community impact.
Research → Training → Skill Development → Community Impact
Research & Extension Projects
36 Total Projects
Ongoing Projects (17)
BRIDGING TRADITION AND INNOVATION: NANOBIOTECHNOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS FOR PRESERVING APONG'S AUTHENCITY AND ENHANCING SHELF LIFE
Bridging Tradition and Innovations: Nano Biotechnological Interventions for Preserving Apong's Authenticity and Enhancing Shelf Life
Food processing training for sustainable entrepreneurship development under ELP
Experiential Learning Food Processing Unit- Technology driven development of nutraceuticals and health foods for entrepreneurship development
Bioprospecting of Anishi for the exploration of commercializing prospects wirh enhanced quality and theraputic potential
Validation of nutritive properties, evaluation of safety, ethnomedicinal claims of 'Peruyyan', its value addition, and assessment of demand for and supply of ‘Peruyyan’ products in local and regional markets
UNICEF project on Technical support for strengthening Maternal Nutrition
Value addition of Grand Naine(G9) banana: For Entrepreneurship Development
Promoting Local Farm Fresh Produce in Urban Areas through Mapping and Data-Driven Subscription Delivery Model: A Case Study of Upper Brahmaputra Valley Zone (UBVZ) of Assam
Enhancing Nutrition and Livelihood through Value added local products and Community Intervention Approach: A case Study of Jorhat and Kamrup District of Assam
“Development of high yielding non-lodging and biotic resistant varieties of black scented rice of Manipur and Assam through biotechnological intervention (Scented Rice Group 4 - Phase-II)
Processing and value addition of millet for nutrition and livelihood security” under Millet promotion through R&D activities in Assam
Studying enhanced shelf life in fish and fish product using modified packaging
Development of climate resilient millet based cropping system
NAHEP project on Bakery
AICRP on Home Science (Food and Nutrition)
All India Coordinated Research Projects on Home Science
Completed Projects (19)
Strengthening maternal nutrition in 3 districts of Assam
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Jwngsar Baro)
APART funded project "Millet Mission" in collaboration with ICRISAT
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Abnita Thakuria)
Development of high value processed rice from indigenous red rice
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Moloya Gogoi)
Moving towards a sustainable private sector by creating responsible business behaviour in tea industry in Assam as Co-PI
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Manisha Choudhury)
Compilation of existing government and private sector schemes relevant for the small tea growers of Assam
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Manisha Choudhury)
Consumption pattern of food and food products/item high in fat, salt and sugar among selected cities/ towns and rural population of India
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Mamoni Das)
Skill Development training in Food Product Development
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Mamoni Das)
“Promotion of agriculture centric sustainable livelihood security for tribal farmers of Assam” Project on Schedule Tribe Community (TSP).
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Luna Dutta Baruah)
TSP project on livelihood security
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Pranati Das)
Mainstream Agricultural Biodiversity Conservation and Utilization in Agricultural Sector to Ensure Ecosystem Services and Reduce Vulnerability (An UN Environment implemented GEF project jointly executed by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Moloya Gogoi)
Development & evaluation of dehydrated irradiated jackfruit
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Pranati Das)
Development of waxy and non waxy foxtail millet genotypes suitable for Assam and Tamil Nadu and preparation of value added food product in collaborati
Solar drying of fruits and vegetables
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Pranati Das)
Development of Value added products from Minor Fruits of Assam
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Ruma Bhattacharyya)
Food Product Development Programme under AIP
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Mamoni Das)
Knowledge and practice of women tea plantation workers of Assam regarding Nutrition, Health & Hygiene
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Mamoni Das)
Standardization of selected Ethnic fermented foods and beverages by Rationalization of Indigenous knowledge (NAIP-IV) as CCPI
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Mridula Saikia Barooah)
Consumption Pattern of Carbonated Soft drinks by Indian population at different times of the year
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Ruma Bhattacharyya)
ICMR Co-ordinated project on "Sub Clinical Vitamin A deficiency among children (6-71 month) of Assam and Rajasthan" as Senior Scientist
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Mridula Saikia Barooah)
Fixed Asset Certificates (GFR-22)
2 CertificatesFixed Asset Certificate (GFR-22) — Bioprospecting of Anishi for the exploration of commercializing prospects wirh enhanced quality and theraputic potential
Fixed Asset Certificate (GFR-22) — Development of high yielding non-lodging and biotic resistant varieties of black scented rice of Manipur and Assam through biotechnological intervention (Scented Rice Group 4 - Phase-II)
Department Photo Gallery
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