Port Blair, Apr 04: The Andaman and Nicobar State Cooperative Supply & Marketing Federation Ltd. (ANCOFED) has opened a green shop at Goalghar. The Secretary to Lt Governor, Shri Satish Mathur formally inaugurated the green shop by lighting the ceremonial oil lamp at a function held at the shop premises here today.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Shri Satish Mathur appreciated the effort made by ANCOFED to provide fresh and quality vegetables, fruit and flowers to the general public at cheaper rates. He stated that green vegetables and fruits are part of balanced diet which is necessary for a healthy body and a healthy mind. Consumption of fast food, beverages and lack of exercises lead to obesity which creates other diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes etc. He further stated that every third person is suffering from high blood pressure and with the increase of age, the percentage of high blood pressure also increase which leads to diseases like heart attacks, kidney failure and even blindness.
He further stated that in view of limited opportunities in the agriculture sector in the Islands, our efforts should be to generate awareness among the farmers to grow vegetables and fruits which will give them better yield in a smaller time-frame.
He suggested ANCOFED to make value addition to these items by making jams and ketchups etc. which may be marketed and benefit can be given to the farmers to give better prices to them for their produce. He further stated that Agriculture department should motivate farmers to grow more vegetables and cash crops.
In his address, Shri N.K. Sharma, Secretary (Cooperation) stated that ANCOFED has come a long way in achieving the set objective for which it has been formed. The turnover of the federation is to the tune of Rs 30 cores. He further urged ANCOFED to open more vegetable and fruits outlets in other parts of the Islands.
Earlier, welcoming the chief guest and others, the Chairman, ANCOFED, Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma stated that ANCOFED has opened the outlet to make available fresh and quality vegetables, fruits and flower to general public below the market rate by purchasing these products from local farmers besides importing from mainland.
The function concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by Shri B. Banerjee, Vice Chairman, ANCOFED.
