A one day conference on the topic ‘Linking Prospective Food Entrepreneurs with Government Schemes & Market’ which focused on food processing sector in North-East region of India with a view to increase business opportunities and investments was held today.
The conference was organized by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) in association with ICAR Research Complex, NEH Region, Manipur Centre and MoFPI, Govt. of India, was held at Hotel Classic Grande, Imphal.
Dr. Najma Heptullah, said ‘food processing industry is an important sector in the country. There is lot of potential for Agro-based food processing industries in Manipur. 85 per cent of the economy is based on agriculture. NGOs, Progressive Farmers etc. should commit themselves in the food processing sector for the betterment of economy as well as solving unemployment problems of the state. The unemployed youths should generate spirit of co-operation to be an entrepreneur to stand on its own. Organizations like ASSOCHAM and NABARD should join hands to promote skill development in the field of eco and agriculture tourism in the North-Eastern states. The Governor also released a Knowledge Paper on ‘Finance, Technology and Marketing: Key Enablers for Agri-Processing Sector’.
Shri L. Lakher, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Commerce & Industries stated that marketing site is a critical area in food industry. Linkage with the market is important for marketing the products but accessing the marketing area is a problem for the farmers. ASSOCHAM, even though slowly, will help the food processing sector to progress in a booming way in near future, he added.
After the inaugural, there was a plenary session too on ‘Budding Entrepreneurs, Industry, Linkages and Financial Schemes”
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