Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 31
To promote World Food India 2017 and Kisan Sampada Yojana, an interactive session was held on Monday at Niathu Resort, Dimapur between entrepreneurs and organizers that included ASSOCHAM, Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India and Department of Industries & Commerce, Government of Nagaland.
Speaking as the chief guest, Joint Secretary, MoFPI, Ashok Kumar said that the World Food India 2017 event aims to showcase India’s strength in the food sector, as the country offers the largest diversified production base. He said there was a growing infrastructure support with 42 Mega Food Park projects being taken up, out of which nine are operational. He also informed that the government has approved 238 Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructures and that 103 such projects have been completed.
Commissioner & Secretary, Industries & Commerce, N. Hushili Sema, IAS pointed out that the first generation of young Naga entrepreneurs were struggling with the lack of infrastructure yet trying hard to move ahead. She appealed to the MoFPI to find ways to uplift the young entrepreneurs who can contribute to the success and development of the state and the country as well.
She also appealed the Ministry to give a serious thought for special consideration to the Naga entrepreneurs in any of the Ministry’s activities.
A handout provided by the organizers stated that India’s food and grocery market was the sixth largest in the world and that the country’s online food delivery industry grew 150% last year.
Kisan Sampada Yojana is an umbrella programme of ‘SAMPADA’ for food processing sector with Rs 6, 000 Cr outlay to integrate current and new schemes aimed at reducing food wastage and doubling farmers’ income.
The handout also stated that the current post-harvest losses was estimated at Rs 92, 000 Crore annually and that the food parks and cold chain would help in reducing the wastage. The Yojana would help entrepreneurs to take up projects at lower financial outlay.
The programme was chaired by Regional Director East and Northeast of ASSOCHAM, Perminder Jeet Kaur.
