HT Correspondent
GUWAHATI, March 19: The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in association with the Union ministry of food processing industries organised a conclave on food processing in Aizawl on Tuesday.
Speaking on the occasion, Ishantor Sobhapandit, regional director, NER of the Indian Chamber of Commerce said, “The development of food processing results in farmers getting better price for their produce. However, for that purpose we need address the issues and challenges to market the products nationally and internationally. The Union ministry of food processing industries can fund the new ventures through its various schemes.”
Related Posts:
Sobhapandit further said that the Northeast is in a geographically advantageous position with countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar sharing their international border with the region. Bangladesh has also provided India access to the Chittagong and Mongla ports, which are situated very close to the Northeast. Exporters from the region can use these ports to export their products to the entire world.
L Lalhmingmawia, additional director of the department of horticulture said, “The people of Mizoram practices natural farming system which is the need of the hour for the entire world. The high value fruits and vegetable like Bird’s Eye chilly, ginger, passion, fruit, bamboo shoots etc. can fetch very high price in the international and national market if they are processed and marketed properly. Under the Sustainable Development Goals of United Nations removing hunger is the topmost priority for which we need to go for food processing and minimize the post-harvest losses.
Elizabeth Lalremthangi Hmar, joint director of the state industries and commerce department gave a detailed overview on the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME).
Many other experts from different organizations like Mizoram State Rural Livelihoods Mission, department of food technology of the Mizoram University, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, State Bank of India and State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute gave detailed presentation on various new technologies of food processing. The Conclave was attended by a large number of entrepreneurs, businessmen and senior government officials.
