DIMAPUR, JULY 23 (MExN): The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and the Ministry of Food processing Industries today organized a conference on ‘Startups & MSMEs in Food Processing’ in partnership with the ICAR-NRC on Mithun, Medziphema, the Nagaland Department of Industries and Commerce, SIDBI and NABARAD.
Nagaland State Governor, PB Acharya, who inaugurated the conference stated that ASSOCHAM and ICAR-NRC on Mithun can do a lot towards promotion of entrepreneurship in the food processing sector, as this sector is very well suited for increasing the income of farming community of Nagaland.
He stated that there is a need to need to make Naga youth stay in Nagaland by providing them with facilities for startups. The Governor further stated that encouraging entrepreneurs in Nagaland should be the first priority of all educational institutions, banks etc.
Terming entrepreneurship as the only way out for the development of the state, the Governor said that the youth of Nagaland must become job givers and not job seekers. He suggested that the state government set up a cooperative system so that farmers at the grass root level can participate and reap benefits of their work.
Dr Abhijit Mitra, Director, ICAR-NRC on Mithun, Medziphema shared the various initiatives and achievements of ICAR-NRC on Mithun and pointed out the benefits of mithun farming. He stated that mithun farming can help towards achieving the Prime Minister’s goal of doubling farmer’s income.
As Dr. Mitra highlighted the importance and showcased different products which their scientists have developed from mithun, he also spoke about the animal’s place as a socio-cultural and economic symbol of the North-East, and hence the need to conserve it.
Dr. Om S Tyagi, Assistant Secretary General, ASSOCHAM meanwhile said that ASSOCHAM will provide entrepreneurs with all marketing infrastructure to sell their processed product across the country and beyond. He added that food processing is one of the largest global sectors and the shape of the global food processing industry is constantly changing.
The food processing industry has made some significant progress in North Eastern region of India, he informed, adding that areas like - Agro & Horticulture Processing, Processing of Plantation Crops, Animal Husbandry and Meat Processing Industries is the potential area in the promotion of industrial activities in Nagaland.
Lithrongla G Chishi, IAS, Commissioner and Secretary, Department of Industries and Commerce, meanwhile invited entrepreneurs to set up food processing units in the state, adding that her department is ready to extend support and guidance.
She informed that the government is providing numerous benefits for startups in the North East and said that now is the time to seize the moment and work for the development of Nagaland. Chishi added that the Department of Industries and Commerce is planning to organize workshops and brainstorm on the problems faced by startups in the state and try to find out solutions.
The Commissioner and Secretary also informed that industrial growth centers in the state will be notified soon, expressing hope of receiving encouraging response from start ups and the business community to set up their bases in those zones. She advised the business community to follow a cluster approach, and make one cluster as a source of raw material for their factories, and make their systems dynamic enough to cater to the seasonal production cycles.
She further claimed that the Government of Nagaland along with banks are ready to support entrepreneurs who dare to go ahead and work for the development of the state.
Hrangkhol, AGM, NABARD meanwhile highlighted the work NABARD is doing to increase the income of farmers. He informed that NABARD is closely associated with rural development, and would support budding entrepreneurs and businesses who are working in the agri and food processing sectors.
Dr. Nazrul Haque, Principle Scientist (Animal Nutrition), ICAR-NRC on Mithun, Medziphema extended the cote of thanks and termed the conference as a “small step for a giant leap.”
The conference was attended by farmers, agri-startups, financial institutions. It also witnessed speakers from various government and non-governmental institutions.
