Mobile fruit-juice extraction unit launched
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 12 2013: In a first of its kind in the State, a mobile fruit juice extraction cum training unit has been launched by Commerce and Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam.

The launching ceremony was held today at the processing Training Centre (FPTC), Porompat, where valedictory programme of a 15-day refresher course on 'Food Processing Industries' was also held with the Minister as the chief guest.

Director (Com & Ind) B John Tlangtinkhuma and Additional Director V Tualthang also graced the event as the functional president and guest of honour respectively.

Said to cost Rs 20 lakhs, the mobile fruit extraction vehicle would venture into fruit producing hubs in both the hill and valley areas of the State to extract/collect fruit juice and bring the liquid form for further storage/processing at processing units.

Moreover, department personnel would impart in-field training to the fruit growers.

Mobile fruit juice extraction unit launched

Noting that 30 percent of the total fruit output in the country go waste due to absence or shortage of processing units, Govindas Konthoujam, in his address as the chief guest, exuded confidence that economic condition of the fruit growers would improve substantially if minimal loss of the fruit production could be ensured.

Stressing on the need for an effective mechanism to fully capitalise fruits being produced by the local growers, he also declared that all possible initiatives would be undertaken to conduct training programmes on extraction and proper storage of fruit juices.

Further informing that an amount of Rs 15 lakhs has been earmarked for purchasing another mobile fruit juice extraction machine by next year, the Industries Minister exuded confidence that the initiative would increase scope for income generation by the fruit growers.

Conceding that Central Government's provision of Rs 2 crore to set up a food processing cum test unit in the State could not be utilised till date, Govindas also regretted that due to absence of food testing facility in Manipur manufacture dates or ingredients used in food items imported from Myanmar could not be authenticated as these imported food items have labels written in Myanmarese script/language.

The Minister also informed that the Central Government officials would be urged to intimate their Myanmar counter-parts for labelling food items in English.

Apart from observing that local farmers have tremendous potential to earn substantial income from growing fruit/food crops, he also highlighted that Government of Manipur is planning to provide incentives to the tune of Rs 5-10 lakhs to facilitate handloom workers live a respectable life.

In all 32 trainees who attended the 15-day training programme organised by Directorate of Commerce and Industries, were handed over certificates at the occasion.