Stream: Engineering
Duration: 2 Years
Course: Food Chain Management
Course Type: Post Graduation
M.Tech. in Food Chain Management is a 4-year postgraduate food technology course which focuses primarily on the chain of food manufacturing, right from the initial stage of primary production via processing and trade till it reaches the consumers. To put it in simple words, the process of food chain includes all stages of food production, beginning from plant and animal husbandry to consumption of fresh and processed food at home or in food service outlets.
The three major aspects of Food Chain Management are:
- Food Safety
- Food Quality, and
- Traceability of Food
The duration of this technical course is 2 years, and the minimum eligibility to pursue the course is a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) degree in an engineering discipline from a recognized institute with a minimum aggregate score of 50% or equivalent CGPA.
| Master of Technology in Maharashtra | Master of Technology in Punjab | Master of Technology in Tamil Nadu | Master of Technology in Uttar Pradesh |
Selection to the course is based either on the candidate’s GATE score or on the candidate’s performance in the relevant entrance exams conducted by concerned universities.
A few of them also provide direct admission based on the candidate’s performance in graduation. The last step of the admission process involves counselling based on the score obtained in the entrance test or qualifying exam.
The average tuition fee charged for this course in India ranges between INR 1 and 5 Lakhs. A fresh postgraduate of Polymer Engineering in India is offered an average annual salary ranging between INR 4 and 6 Lakhs, increasing gradually with experience and skillset.
Top Colleges for Master of Technology [M.Tech] (Food Chain Management)
M.Tech. in Food Chain Management: Course Highlights
Listed below are some of the major highlights of the course.
| Duration | 2 years, full- time |
| Stream | Engineering |
| Eligibility | B. Tech/ B.E. in Food Science/ Food Science and Technology/ Food Technology and Management/ Food Technology/ Dairy & Food Technology/ Dairy & Food Engineering/ Agricultural and Food Engineering with minimum 50% marks in aggregate |
| Admission Process | Based on GATE score or entrance exam conducted by the university or marks obtained in graduation |
| Average Course Fee | INR 1 to 3 Lakhs |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 3 to 8 Lakhs |
| Top Recruiting Companies | PepsiCo, Amul, Britannia Industries, MTR Foods, Parle, ITC Limited, Creambell, Dabur, Monde Nissin Corporation, Red Bull, Monsanto, Kellogg's, ConAgra Foods, The Coca-Cola Company, Mondelez International, The Hershey Company etc. |
M.Tech. Food Chain Management: What is it About?
The Master’s program in Food Chain Management is a unique course introduced with an idea to generate talented, resourceful and a practically- oriented personnel to meet the demands of the Indian food industry. The course curriculum has been designed to address real-time issues including case studies, class room discussions and virtual modeling on the subject. Professionals are shaped and trained to excel in technical and management skills as per the demands of the industry.
The idea of the program is to impart the knowledge of perishable and non-perishable supply food chain, with an emphasis on managing the losses incurred in the current scenario. Additionally, it helps in understanding the importance of quality, price, shelf life of products and gap between demand and supply of the consumables. It also comprises basic food knowledge required at every level from farm to fork. With this perfect blend of science, technology, management and entrepreneurial attributes, students are equipped to take up the challenges of the food and supply industries.
The course also offers the requisite knowledge, skillset, and practical experience essential to pursue the ample number of opportunities available within a variety of food-related sectors which include manufacturing, retailers, government agencies, logistics, supply chain management, and research institutions. It enables professionals to acquire a basic understanding of the vital factors associated with food processing and food quality assurance.
M.Tech. Food Chain Management: Course Objectives
Listed below are the major objectives of the course.
- To prepare students to become qualified food technologists for food industries, research organizations and teaching areas.
- To provide students with a solid foundation in basic sciences related to food technology, food science and food technology and engineering.
- To enable them with good scientific and engineering knowledge so they can comprehend, design, and create food products and devices for the food industry and can also provide solutions for the challenges faced in the food industry as well as in the agricultural sector.
- To train students in professional ethics, effective communication skills, teamwork and multidisciplinary approaches associated with food technology and engineering.
Top Institutes Offering M.Tech. in Food Chain Management
Some of the top institutes offering the course in the country with the corresponding locations and fees charged by the respective colleges are listed below.
| SR.NO. | COLLEGE/INSTITUTE | STATE | TUITION FEES (PER YEAR) IN INR | ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | ADMISSION PROCEDURE |
| 1. | National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) | Sonipat, Haryana | 59,800 | Candidates need to have a 4- year Bachelor's degree or a Master's degree in relevant discipline with minimum 60% marks in aggregate. B.E./ B. Tech. degree in Food Science/ Food Science and Technology/ Food Technology and Management/ Food Technology/ Dairy & Food Technology/ Dairy & Food Engineering/ Agricultural and Food Engineering/ 4- year Bachelor’s degree or a Master's degree in Agriculture with Agronomy/ Horticulture/ Vegetable sciences OR M.Sc. in Food Science/ Food Technology/ Food Science and Technology from a recognized university/ institute. Non- agriculture/ Non-Food candidates would be asked to register for relevant courses. | Admission to the course is based on a valid GATE score (Graduate Aptitude Test for Engineers) and personal interview (30 marks). Non-GATE candidates would require to qualify the common entrance exam (70 marks) in place of GATE, conducted by NIFTEM followed by personal interview (30 marks). |
| 2. | Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (SHAITS) | Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh | 46,000 | Candidates having obtained their Bachelor's degree in the final examination in the concerned field under the 10+2+4 or 10+2+3 system as per their qualifying examination are eligible for admission to PG programs. B.E. or B.Tech. in Agri- Engg./ Dairy Engg./ Dairy Technology/ Biotechnology/ Chemical Engg./ Food Technology/ Food Process Engg./ Food Engg./ M. Sc. in Food Tech./ M.Sc. (Agriculture) Horticulture (Post Harvest Technology)/ M.Sc. Food & Nutrition M.Sc. in Food Tech. or related field. | Admission is based on performance in entrance test (duration is two hours) conducted by the university, on the basis of merit. |
| 3. | Vaugh School of Agricultural Engineering & Technology | Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh | 50,000 | Candidates need to have a B.E or B.Tech. in Ag. Engineering/ Dairy Engineering/ Dairy Technology/ Biotechnology/ Chemical Engineering/ Food Technology/ Food Process Engineering/ Food Engineering/ M.Sc. Food Tech. / M.Sc. (Ag.) Horticulture (Post Harvest Tech.)/ M.Sc. in Food & Nutrition. | Candidates need to appear for the entrance exam held by the university or obtain a valid GATE score. |
Course Duration
The duration of the course is 2 years, spread over 4 semesters. Each semester is usually six months long. The first year of the course offers a definite theoretical knowledge and practical experience whereas the last year mainly focuses on dissertation and project submission.
Eligibility Criteria for M.Tech. in Food Chain Management
Listed here are the minimum criteria of eligibility for admission to the course.
- To pursue M.Tech. in Food Chain Management, candidates need to have a B.Tech./ B.E. in Food Chain Management or allied branches (Food Science / Food Science and Technology /Food Technology and Management / Food Technology/ Dairy & Food Technology/ Dairy & Food Engineering/ Agricultural and Food Engineering) from a recognized university obtained through the 10+2+4 system of education.
- The minimum score required is 50% (differs from institute to institute) in aggregate or equivalent CGPA in graduation. A relaxation of 5% marks is given for reserved category (SC/ST/OBC) candidates.
- Students in the last semester of their graduation are also eligible to apply for the course, provided they fulfill the eligibility criteria.
Admission Process for M.Tech. in Food Chain Management
Admission to M.Tech. in Food Chain Management is based on the candidate’ performance in a relevant entrance examination (national/ State /university- level), followed by a round of personal interview.
IITs and NITs prefer students who have successfully cleared the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) exam with a valid score. A few engineering institutes provide direct admission to eligible candidates on the basis of their performance in at the level of graduation. Shortlisted students are needed to attend counselling, once they successfully clear the entrance examination or meet the eligibility criteria.
GATE is the country’s main entrance examination conducted for admission to the course.
- Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) – GATE is an all-India examination that is conducted jointly by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore and seven Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) namely IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Madras and IIT Roorkee to tests the candidate’s comprehensive understanding of various undergraduate subjects in engineering and science.
The entrance exam is primarily held for admission to post graduate courses in the field of engineering, technology, architecture and science. The GATE score is accepted for admissions to various PG programs.
The online test is a multiple- choice and numerical- type exam divided across three sections, namely General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics and respective subject specific knowledge.
- NIFTEM Entrance Test – NIFTEM conducts a Common Entrance Exam for those who have not qualified GATE. Non-GATE candidates are needed to qualify the Common Entrance Exam (70 marks) in place of GATE, conducted by NIFTEM at NIFTEM campus, followed by personal interview (30 marks). The Common Entrance Exam is not conducted if all seats have been filled by GATE candidates.
The written test conducted for Non-GATE candidates consists of seventy (70) objective type questions of one mark each. Negative marking is applicable for each wrong answer and 0.25 marks are deducted. The duration of the test is one hour.
The test consists of two parts, with the first containing twenty (20) questions to test Mental Agility, English and General Knowledge of the candidate, and the other containing fifty (50) questions to test the candidate’s knowledge base in their chosen areas.
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M.Tech. in Food Chain Management: Academic Options
Since it is a research- oriented field, students with a M.Tech. in Food Chain Management may go for doctoral courses (M.Phil. or Ph.D.) in the subject. IITs and NITs have research programs in Food Chain Management wherein students may apply their knowledge in formulating innovative theories and later work as professors in colleges or universities.
M.Tech. in Food Chain Management: Career Prospects
Some of the popular areas of employment for such postgraduates are:
- Food industries
- Environment and agriculture
- Healthcare sector
- Food processing factories
- Laboratories
- Colleges and universities
Such professionals are hired in capacities such as Food Specialist, Supply Chain Officer, Food Beverage Manager, Food Chain Manager, Stores Manager, Food Process Engineer, Quality Control Supervisor, Food Analyst, Food Ingredient Manager, Food Regulatory Affairs Specialist, Food Microbiologist, Food Chemist, Research Scientist, Retail or Supply Chain Manager, Fermentation Engineer, Entrepreneur, Product Development Manager etc.
Listed below are some of the job titles and profiles along with the remunerations offered in the field of Food Chain Management:
| Job Title | Job Profile | Average Annual Salary in INR | |||
| Supply Chain Manager with Food Industry | A Supply Chain Manager manages and oversees overall supply chain operations, including purchasing and inventory of materials related to food industry as well as selection of vendors. He or she makes recommendations to improve productivity, quality, and efficiency of food operations. Also, coordinates and resolves issues regarding existing and new products. Additionally, oversees product allocation when required, coordinating efforts and priorities of the supply chain, manufacturing and sales. | 362,519 –1,781,121 | |||
| Mud Engineer | Mud engineers are responsible for creating mud, or a mixture of fluids, clay and other minerals, that are used in the process of drilling for oil or gas. With a background in engineering or drilling, they work with other engineers and geologists. | 4,92,216 - 5,40,957 | |||
| Global Procurement Associate Manager | The position includes the development, communication, and execution of sourcing strategies, supplier selection, negotiations, as well as supplier and contract management. The job role requires a primary liaison between Operations, Finance and R&D. | Rs 863,629 per year – Rs 1,519,774 per year | |||
| Food Regulatory Affairs Specialist | Regulatory affairs officers act as an important link between companies and regulatory authorities, thus, ensuring that products are manufactured and distributed in compliance with appropriate legislation. The Regulatory Specialist performs a variety of regulatory activities related to raw materials, finished products, product registration, labelling, claims, packaging, and regulatory database management to ensure compliance with applicable food and other product-related laws and regulations within assigned countries and areas of responsibility. | Rs 306,316 per year – Rs 786,108 per year | |||
| Food Quality Assurance Manager | Food quality assurance manager is responsible for ensuring that food products meet standards set by both their companies and regulatory authorities. He or she may develop and review quality and safety policies and manage audits by third-party inspectors. Managers also prepare reports on food quality status to relay to owners and upper-level management and keep records of all tests and inspections that have been conducted. | Rs 964,916 per year |
M.Tech. in Food Chain Management: Syllabus and Course Structure
Listed here are the core subjects that form part of the course’s curriculum.
- Pre-and Post-Harvest Management of Fresh Produce
- Food Supply Chain Management
- Cold Chain Management
- Principles of Management
- Human Resource Management in Supply Chain
- Advances in Food Biotechnology
- Food Mycology and Microbiology
- Inventory Management, Scheduling and Forecasting
- Research Methodology
- Food Quality and Safety in Supply Chain
- Computer Programming
- Advanced Engineering Statistics
- Optimization Techniques in Food Technology
- Advanced Food Chemistry
- International Food Legislations & Standards
- Food Quality Control
- Meat & Marine Technology
- Modern Fruits & Vegetables Processing Techniques
- Advanced Food Packaging
- Advanced Beverage Technology
- Modern Baking & Confectionary Technology
- Processing of Milk & Milk Products
- Food Microbiology
Specialized Components/ Electives:
- Introduction to Agriculture
- Principle of Crop Production
- Extension Methodologies for Transfer of Agriculture Technology
- Natural Resources and Environmental Laws
- Entrepreneurship Development in Food Processing
- Strategy & Marketing of Food Products
- Supply Chain Management
- Development Strategy of Regional Food Processing
- Cross-National Cooperatives & International Investment
- Global Food Marketing Development & Aid Policy
- Exploration & Utilization of Food Resources
- Food Trade Barrier.
![Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences - [SHUATS]](https://image-static.collegedunia.com/public/college_data/images/appImage/25968_SHIATS_APP.jpg?h=150&w=320&mode=crop)
![Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences - [SHUATS]](https://image-static.collegedunia.com/public/college_data/images/logos/1613368496Logo.png?h=30&w=30&mode=crop)
![National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management - [NIFTEM]](https://image-static.collegedunia.com/public/college_data/images/appImage/25539_NIFTEM_NEW.jpg?h=150&w=320&mode=crop)
![National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management - [NIFTEM]](https://image-static.collegedunia.com/public/college_data/images/logos/1394876631National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM).png?h=30&w=30&mode=crop)
![Vaugh Institute of Agricultural Engineering And Technology - [VIAET]](https://image-static.collegedunia.com/public/college_data/images/appImage/14973478931497344399149727381814176113295a.jpg?h=150&w=320&mode=crop)
![Vaugh Institute of Agricultural Engineering And Technology - [VIAET]](https://image-static.collegedunia.com/public/college_data/images/logos/149734789314973443991497273818sfglb.png?h=30&w=30&mode=crop)
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