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ASSOCHAM organises one-day agri & food processing conference in Dehradun
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Tuesday, 06 December, 2016, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, New Delhi
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A one-day conference titled Agri and Food Processor’s Conclave: Finance-Technology-Market was organised in Dehradun by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) in collaboration with the ministry of food processing industries (MoFPI) and Industries Association of Uttarakhand (IAU).
It provided a platform to aspiring food entrepreneurs, existing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in food, agriculture professionals and students, progressive farmers and self-help groups to share their views and learn about latest initiatives and opportunities available in the field of agro food industries.
Krishan Kant Paul, governor of Uttarakhand, was the chief guest. Inaugurating the conference, he said, “The food processing industry is of enormous significance for the development of Uttarakhand, because of the vital linkages and synergies that it promotes between the two pillars of the economy, namely industry and agriculture.”
“The growth potential of this sector is enormous and the consumption of value-added food products will grow at a fast pace.The consumption of processed food has gone up considerably,” he added.
“Youth are fond of processed food. This growth of the food processing industry will bring immense benefits to the economy, raising agricultural yields, meeting productivity, creating employment and raising the standard of a very large number of people in the state, especially in the rural areas,” Paul stated.
He emphasised that the adoption of an integrated approach to facilitate the development of agriculture and food processing industry in Uttarakhand could create 320,000 additional employment opportunities.
Paul stressed on the quality of food. He cited the example of Switzerland, where despite the fact that sugarcane, cocoa and beetroot are not produced, the country has the highest production of high-qualitychocolate.
“In order to increaseemployment, we should focus on the skill development of the youth,” he added.
D N Magar, chief general manager, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Dehradun,discussed the various financial schemes funded by the development bank to help farmers and rural youth to develop into successful agri entrepreneurs.
Processed foods enhance employment opportunities. They also enhance the demand for farm produce. Magar also mentioned that under the NABARD initiative, a fund of Rs 2,000 crorehas been sanctioned by the government to promote the food processing industry andencourage capacity building.
Shushmul Maheshwari, managing director, RNCOS, gave a presentation highlighting on the current trends in finance, technology and marketing in the food processing sector. He also spoke about the opportunities that exist for youth entrepreneurs in sectors such as marketing, quality testing and implementation of new agri technologies to improve production.
Pankaj Gupta, president, Industries Association of Uttarakhand, spoke about the state’s potential in generating employment opportunities for youth in the food processing sector. He also mentioned that food wastage was a challenge. “We need to focus on this and youth should take up food processing as an entrepreneurial activity,” Gupta added.
Other speakers who addressed the conference includedB S Negi, director (horticulture and food processing), Government of Uttarakhand; Amit Srivastava, senior programmemanager, Uttarakhand Organic Commodity Board (UOCB); Vijay Sabharwal, managing director, Reliance Food Processing; J P Mishra, prinicipal and head of the department, College of Agriculture, Uttaranchal University; V S Kalura, assistant general manager, zonal office, State Bank of India, Dehradun; J B Singh, deputy director, National Horticulture Board, Dehradun, andAjay Singh, head of the department, Department of Chemistry and Food Technology, Uttaranchal University.
Proposing the vote of thanks,Om S Tyagi, senior director, ASSOCHAM, highlighted the importance of the conference for thebudding entrepreneurs to start new ventures in agriculture.
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