Governor notes key role of food processing industry
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 28 2018: Governor Dr Najma Heptulla stated that food processing industry has emerged as one of the major employment intensive industries in the State.

Speaking as chief guest at a,conference on 'Start-up and MSME's in Food Processing' today, the Governor said that food processing industry is one of the important segments which contributes greatly to the State's economy.

She added that SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) serve as ancillaries to several big industries and amongst them, the food processing industry dominates the Indian economy to a great extent.

Najma maintained that the said food processing industry acts as a vital link between agriculture and industrial segments of the economy.

Manipur being home to different varieties of fruits, vegetables and other agro products affords immense opportunities in food processing, including an ample scope for trade.

She added that properly harvested, processed and packaged fruits and vegetables of the State will have good marketing value in both domestic and international markets.

The Governor said that utilization of new and improved technologies and innovation can help promote the agro-based economy.

For bringing advanced development in food processing industry in the State, she emphasized the need of creating facilities for primary and secondary processing units in the region by infusion of proper technology for successful implementation of food processing enterprises.

She said that proper marketing links between farmers and manufacturers have to be established along with technological support.

To have a balanced and holistic development of economy in the State, it is essential that the micro, small or medium industries coexist with the big ones.

She said that the micro and small industries, particularly need to be nurtured by Government in the form of term loan, working capital, machinery and technology upgrading, quality and efficiency improvement, Intellectual Property Rights registration and credit rating.

She also underlined the need to create awareness of the Central .

Sponsored Scheme by making it available in the local dialects.

Appreciating the conference, she said that sensitizing the budding entrepreneurs about Government schemes and markets is a welcome move.

She expressed that it is necessary to diagnose the problems in the State for providing an improved production and marketing environment with value-added economic benefits to the farmers, through appropriate science and technological policies for various post-harvest functions in food processing industries.

Lauding ASSOCHAM for organising the event, she said that it has been supporting the emerging entrepreneurs through several incentives for the development of food processing industry in various parts of the country, especially in the North East.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Yumnam Joykumar Singh pointed out the relevance of the conference while emphasizing on the importance of bio-technology and crop rotation in the agricultural and horticultural product.

He said that biotechnology can boost production of crops or fruit yields, with crop rotation helping the soil to regain its fertility.

He stressed that the development of the secondary sector is necessary to push the economy Of the State.

Principal Secretary, (Hort & SC) JC Ramthanga, officials concerned of Manipur Rural Bank, Manipur Small Farmers' Agribusiness Consortium, NABARD, MSME (DI), SBI, NEDFI, Regional Centre Organic Farming, Manipur, SIDBI, Manipur and entrepreneurs attended the inaugural function of the conference.

The conference was organized by ASSOCHAM in association with Ministry of Food Processing Industries, GoI, and Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR)-NEH at Hotel Classic Imphal today.

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