India is the world's second largest food grain, fruit and vegetable producer,[2] and the institute is engaged in research in the production and handling of grains, pulses, oilseed, along with spices, fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and poultry.
Maharaja Jayachamaraja Wadiyar donated Cheluvambavilas Palace and its vast campus to house the institute, where it is headquartered. It also has its resource centres at Hyderabad, Lucknow, and Mumbai, rendering technical assistance to numerous entrepreneurs.[3]
The institute has developed over 300 products, processes, and equipment designs, and most of these technologies have been released to over 4000 licensees for commercial application.[citation needed] . The institute develops technologies to increase efficiency and reduce post-harvest losses, add convenience, increase export, find new sources of food products, integrate human resources in food industries, reduce costs, and modernise.[5] It holds several patents and has published findings in reputed journals.
A view of Cheluvambavilas Palace on a winter morning fog
