Port Blair, Apr 01: UNNATI trained 300 members of SHGs, unemployed youths and tribal candidates in food processing on coconut and marine based products from the locally available raw materials after hiring experts from mainland in association with Line Departments of A & N Administration, NABARD, PRIs and Tribal Council from December 2011 to 27th March 2012. The selected trainees in 10 days training programme showed great interest in learning things and the response to adopt food processing as self-employment venture to improve their economic condition was very encouraging.
The food processing training were conducted in all three Districts of A & N Islands and the trainees also formed food processing committees in different Islands to pursue and follow up action with Administration for promotion of food processing in their respective area. The Food Technologist and trainers of UNNATI are also having interactions with the trainees and as per feedback received from trainees and food processing committees a report was prepared and presented to the Chief Secretary, A & N Administration on 30.03.2012 along with President, Food processing Committee Nicobar District and the Chief Secretary kindly agreed to have a meeting with Food Processing Committees in different areas along with concerned officials shortly and also take up issues with Secretary Food Processing Ministry Govt. of India for extending various facilities for promotion of food processing in A & N Islands.
The important issues and constrains discussed by the trainees are establishment of a mini coconut desiccated plant in different Islands under respective Panchayat and Tribal Council to use same by coconut growers on terms and condition approved by the Administration; Supply of food processing preservatives departmentally to trainees as same not locally available. Shopkeepers are arranging preservatives from mainland but they charge higher rate; Supply of food processing equipments and machines on 50% subsidy; Arrangement of food technologist by the Administration and till appointment of food technologist is materialized administration may arrange to get resource person from CFTRI and Coconut Development Board for skill up gradation of already trained candidates in food processing and introduction of more coconut and marine based products; For marketing of food processing products the marketing outlets and support of ANCOFED and Consumer store and NABARD to be tied up and assistance to trainees and food processing entrepreneurs to get food processing license from Kolkata to start food processing activities on commercial scale.
Now UNNATI is also arranging short during one or two days practical training in food processing to interested persons on the demand of Panchayat/Self Help Groups or any other organization. UNNATI organized one day food processing demonstration on food processing on 28.02.2012 at Shadipur and 2 days programme at Neil islands on the request of Helpline, NGO and Pradhan, Neil Island respectively. Similarly programme can be conducted in other areas by Food Technologist of UNNATI if concerned organization is ready to provide local support.
