Nagaland touts 100% funding pattern to GoI

Additional Secretary, MoFPI, Dr Rakesh Sarwal addressing the workshop on Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojna in Kohima on August 28. (DIPR Photo)

Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 28 

Recognizing that the state share aspect of funding for projects and schemes is a major issue especially for resource constrained state like Nagaland, State Chief Secretary, Temjen Toy today requested the Government of India and other funding agencies for a cent percent funding pattern, if not on a 90:10 basis which is followed by most of the Ministries.

He said this while addressing a one day workshop on the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojna (PMKSY) here organised by the Federation of Industry & Commerce of North East Region (FINER) and sponsored by Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India. The workshop was supported by the Department of Industries and Commerce, Nagaland.

Stating that agriculture in Nagaland is conservative and traditional in nature, the Chief Secretary stressed on the need to give more attention to increase the productivity. He viewed that market linkages, storage and maintenance of cold chains need to be improved.

Citing the popularity of Naga King chilly, Ginger, Naga coffee and other spices, he said “We can become a major producing state not only to sell in the rest of the country but globally and we have that potential.” 
 Call for state food processing policy

Dr. Rakesh Sarwal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India made a suggestion to the Nagaland State Government to develop a food processing policy and food processing action plan on fruits, vegetables, spices and dairy.

He also stressed on the need to nurture agri-entrepreneurs and to give special attention to packaging, branding and marketing. Sarwal further encouraged the State Government to set up more food testing laboratories and entrepreneur training centers.

Spice processing unit has most potential in Nagaland

Goutam Das from the Department of Food Packaging & System Development, Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology said that spices are one of the potential food processing units in Nagaland. Das suggested that integrated spice processing units has a lot of potential in the state.

Other potential sectors of Nagaland, according to him include pineapple, banana, vegetables, cabbage Ginger, Naga King Chilli, Turmeric, Cardamom. He maintained that these products, if produces and marketed properly, would facilitate the growth of micro, small and medium industries in the state.

 
FINER Nagaland chapter soon

FINER president, Pabitra Buragohain meanwhile informed that the Nagaland chapter of FINER will be set up soon and asked agriculture related entrepreneurs of the state to join the same.

Lithrongla G Chishi, Commissioner & Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Nagaland added that the objective of the workshop is to push the food processing units forward in Nagaland. The workshop highlighted various schemes under PMKSY, which include mega food parks, integrated cold chain & value addition infrastructure, creation/expansion of food processing and preservation capacities, creation of infrastructure for agro-processing clusters, creation of backward and forward linkages, food safety and quality assurance infrastructure and human resources and institutions.