Port Blair, Mar 22: To promote investment & FDI in the Food Processing Industries sector in A&N Islands, keeping in view of the immense potential for development of sectors involving Food Processing, Fisheries and Coconut & allied products, a daylong ‘Food Processing Conclave’ was organized by the Department of Industries, A&N Administration in association with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, GoI and Indian Chamber of Commerce, Kolkata in the conference hall of Megapode Nest here today. The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Anindo Majumdar was the chief guest on the occasion. The Additional Director and Head of Food & Agri. Business Dept., Indian Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Madhuparna Bhowmick, Secretary (Industries), Smti. Neha Bansal, Secretary (Agri, AH&VS, Fisheries), Shri Ramesh Verma, Associate Professor, National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Dr. Vijendra Mishra, Assistant Professor, Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology, Dr. Goutam Das, Officers from the Department of Industries, Fisheries & Agriculture, entrepreneurs, farmers and other stakeholders attended the programme.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Secretary complimented the Indian Chamber of Commerce, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, GoI and the Department of Industries for organizing this timely conclave by involving farmers, entrepreneurs and stakeholder of these Islands.
The Chief Secretary remarked that there is vast potential in food processing here in Isles and there has been progress, but it requires more thrust. He said, the Administration will act as a facilitator for the stakeholders and entrepreneurs towards setting up of industries and food processing units in Isles.
He also called upon the stakeholder, farmers and entrepreneurs to highlight the challenges and constrains faced by them in setting up food processing units in Isles so that the output of this conclave would serve as inputs for the policy formulation of the Islands. The Chief Secretary also stated that scope in Isles’ floriculture needs to be studied and tapped.
Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary (Industries), Smt. Neha Bansal threw light on the potential and gap in food processing sector here in the Islands. She called upon the stakeholders to join hands with the Administration in making A&N Islands a manufacturing hub.
In his address, the Secretary (Agri./Fisheries/AH&VS), Shri Ramesh Verma stressed on the need for adopting scientific approach in fisheries sector.
The Director of Industries, Shri Ajit Anand in his address pointed out value addition, market linkage, and technology adoption for the development of the food processing sector in these Islands. The Director of Agriculture, Shri Anjan Kr. Das highlighted value added coconut products using low cost technology. The Director (Fisheries), Dr. U K Sar threw light on the scope of deep sea fishing and production potential here in the Islands.
Speakers from IIFPT and NIFTEM updated present trends and technological advancement in Food processing sector and emphasized need for mini food park in the Islands and also shared the Low Cost Technologies available for Commercialization.
In her welcome address, Addl. Director and Head of Food & Agri. Business Dept, ICC, Ms. Madhuparna highlighted the objective of the Conclave which is aimed at identifying the potential source in promoting investment & FDI in the Food Processing Industries sector in A&N Islands.
In the Technical session, the stake holders interacted threadbare. They sought formulation of incentives schemes especially for the sector in A & N islands at par with North Eastern states for the growth of SME sector especially in Food processing.
