Shillong, December 15: A one day Conference on “Linking Prospective Food Entrepreneurs With Government Schemes and Markets” was organized today by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industries of India (ASSOCHAM) in collaboration with Ministry of Food & Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India and ICAR Research Centre for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya for providing a platform to aspiring food entrepreneurs, existing SMEs in food, agriculture professionals & students, progressive farmers, Self Help Groups, etc. for sharing their views and learn about latest initiatives and opportunities available in the field of Agro Food Industries.
Dr. Om S Tyagi, Senior Director, ASSOCHAM, in his welcome address said that shared that the food processing industry has made some significant progress in North Eastern region of India. Areas like – Agro & Horticulture Processing, Processing of Plantation Crops, Animal Husbandry and Meat Processing Industries have been declared as potential area in the promotion of industrial activities in the state of Meghalaya. Special emphasis is presently laid on the non-traditional crops, such as oilseeds, groundnut, tea, coffee, medicinal plants and other crops
Shri V Shanmuganathan, Hon’ble Governor of Meghalaya was the chief guest. Inaugurating the Conference, the Governor appreciated ASSOCHAM and Ministry of Food Processing industries, Government of India (MOFPI) for addressing the issue of linking farmer with market. He asked the government, industries and scientist to formulate polices to attract youth of Meghalaya toward agriculture and make agriculture as carrier objective.
Unemployment is very high in Meghalaya and agriculture and food processing can play a vital role in development of state. He argued the people of the state to make better and efficient utilization of natural resources. The potential for Agro-based food processing industries in the state of Meghalaya is very high.
Besides the major food crops, of rice and maize, the state is also renowned for its horticultural crops like pineapple orange, lemon, Apart from the above the state has achieved signal success in the cultivation of non-traditional crops like tea, cashew nut, oilseeds, tomato, mushroom, wheat, etc. Hon’ble Governor argued the There is enough potential for setting up a starch based processing unit in the State. Plantation crops like coffee, rubber, black pepper and areca nut are also becoming important products. A major breakthrough has been made in tea cultivation and tea gardens have come up in various parts of the State.
Dr. S V Ngachan, Director, ICAR RC for NEH Region, Umiam (Barapani) in his address said that present government is optimizing farming system for doubling farmers income. ICAR trough its different programs encourages entrepreneurship among farmers of the state. Farmers of Meghalaya appreciated the work done by ICAR for development of agriculture in north east.
Shri Osmand E J Nongbri, Managing Director, Meghalaya Co-operative Apex Bank Ltd. : discussed various financial schemes funded by apex bank to help farmers and rural youths to develop into successful Agri entrepreneur. Process food enhances the employment opportunity. It also enhances the demand of the farm produce. .
Other speakers who addressed the Conference included Mr. Inamul Hussain Saikia, Consultant, APEDA. Shri Sajjan Kumar Tharad, Secretary, Frontier Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Meghalaya, Shri K Ahmed, Advisor cum Project Chief, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDI-NER), Shri Inamul Hussain Saikia, Consultant, APEDA, Dr. K K Datta, Professor Agri-Business, CPGS, CAU Campus, Barapani, Dr. A K Jha, PS & Head, Horticulture Division, ICAR-RC, Dr. G Kadirvel, Principle Scientist, Animal production Division, ICAR-RC
