MANIPUR:ONE DAY FOOD PROCESSING CONCLAVE HELD

A One day Food Processing Conclave under the theme ‘Awareness and UP- gradation of technology and promotion of Kishan Sampada Yojana’ was held today at Hotel Classic Grande, Chingmeirong, Imphal. The Conclave was jointly organized by Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India and Indian Chamber of Commerce with the support of Department of Commerce and Industries, Government of Manipur.

The occasion was graced by Smt. Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, Minister of State, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India as Chief Guest. While addressing the gathering, the Chief Guest said that the main objective of the Government is to increase the income of farmers double times. Every farmers in every state should not be left behind, especially Manipur since the state has a rich soil. The Food Processing Ministry has been progressing in the last few years, there are many schemes such as Mega Food Park, Cold Chain, Kishan Sampada Scheme, Backward power linkage, though it is difficult to earmark 50 acres of land for Food Park at some places in every state, the Ministry has proposed through Cabinet for small units after proper identification and if Food Park cannot be set up in 12 acres of land, the same land can use to set up a Cold Chain that deals directly with the farmers.

The Chief Guest also declared that the Ministry is providing 35% subsidy for Meghalaya region and 75% for Manipur of that only 25% will be borne by the beneficiaries. Stressing that there are certain factors like willingness of the government, condition of the industry, water, electricity etc are to be provided by the government and also stated that the state being the gateway to Asian Highway, the Ministry is ready to provide and assist in making the Kishan Sampada Yojana a success.

Speaking as Guest of Honour, Shri Th. Bishwajit Singh, Minister (Trade, Commerce & Industries) said the state is moving forward in every field. Though the state is small as compared to others, it has a good climatic condition, fertile land, water and natural resources especially in agriculture and horticulture areas. Unfortunately, the food products have to be imported from neighbouring country due to the lack of means of preservation of food products and also due to the lack of adequate marketing facilities in the state, perishable products goes wasted. He further states that if the state has Cold Chains, 40% of food can be save from wasting which can be sold in markets benefitting the farmers and to enable the entrepreneurs to sell their products on-line, the Minister request the Ministry to reduce the loan compound interest of the Entreprenuers.

The conclave was organized to promote and uplift the food processing industries in the state and also to encourage home food processing units. The state has a fertile soil leading to surplus production, however with lack of cold chain facility surplus production go wasted. The government of India has taken a number of strategies and initiatives to encourage…