Port Blair, Feb 01: The food processing project for promotion of food processing in A & N Islands managed by UNNATI in association with Industries, Agriculture, Industrial training institute, NABARD, A & N state Co-operative Union organized food processing training programme at Diglipur in batches for 62 trainees elected in consultation with PRIs, BDO, CDPO and other local organizations etc from 10-01-2012 and training was concluded on 01-02-2012. Mr. Sanjay Kumar IAS, Assistant Commissioner of Diglipur was chief guest and Mr. Ragavan Manager of NABARD as guest of Honor.
Mr. Janak Rao, Resource person of Industry Department, welcomed the participants and explained about the training and various products which demonstrated to the trainees. He said it is first times that due to the initiative of UNNATI there was well Co-ordinate efforts from all concerned departments and PRIs which make the training programme success. As regard use of the infrastructure of the training centre by the trainees for preparing products till they set up their own units can be considered by the department if interested trainees come forward.
He also thanked UNNATI for providing various facilities to the trainees to make the training programme a success. He said as per guide line issued by the UNNATI for further follow up and support the trainees formed food processing Self Help Group / Committee to provide them a platform to discuss about issues related to food processing besides formation of Sub-Divisional level food processing committee.
The Mr.Neeraj Sharma, Food Technologist of UNNATI explained in detail about the Eni-India ltd/ ONGC supported project and support of extended by NABARD. He pointed out to make self-employment viable, we should impart training to candidates on such self- employment trade/ activities for which raw materials are locally available and keeping this fact in view UNNATI is imparting training in food processing on marine and coconut based products for which raw materials are abundantly available. The income of the islanders can be increased if locally available raw materials are converted into value added products. We can tackle unemployment problem of the islands to a great extent through food processing activities as are doing in many states in mainland. He also said UNNATI is taking up matter with Administration for extending various incentives and concessions available from Govt. of India under food processing sector to islanders. He specially thanked PRIs, BDO, CDPO and local level officials of line departments for their whole hearted support for making the training programme a success and also trainees for brining products in the market immediately after training. The products displayed by the trainees in Subhas Mela are liked by the people and efforts of trainees are appreciable in bring the products in the market so early. He also mentioned there needed to install modern food processing machines in the training center at Diglipur. He said assistance from UNNATI for escort source and trial production will also be available.
Smti. Seema Maji Secretary of Sub-Divisional level food processing committee thanked and appreciated UNNATI for providing quality training with the help of quality trainers which helped them to bring products into the market immediately after training. She also thanked UNNATI for creating various mechanisms to provide after support / escort service to the trainees and other support extended to the trainees for the successful conduct of the training. She also demanded modernizing the food processing centre Diglipur with modern equipments and allowing them to use the infrastructure of training centre to the trainees. She also demanded supply of food processing preservatives, chemicals and equipments on 50% subsidy as decided by the Administration also be made available to them early. She further demanded to set up separate counter for sale of Self Help Group products in Industrial Emporium at Port Blair.
Mr.Sanjay Kumar, IAS, Assistant Commissioner Chief Guest appreciated the joints efforts UNNATI, and line departments for organizing the food processing training at Diglipur. He assured his support for promotion of food processing. The good training imparted need to utilize for setting up units by the trainees with the support food technologist of UNNATI and other resource of line departments. The certificates to 62 trainees were distributed by S/S .Sanjay Kumar and Mr. Ragavan Manager of NABARD guest of Honor Chief Guest also assured support of Administration to promote self employment through food processing.
Mr. Ragavan Manager of NABARD who was guest of Honor explained in details about various NABARD projects including marketing support. He also appreciated the joint efforts of UNNATI, line departments and other organization for conducting training in which there was good participation of trainees from all villages.
Mr. Abdul Rasheed, IPO Incharge in his vote of thanks expressed gratitude to UNNATI, line departments and PRIs for arranging quality training with various support and rendering facilities to the trainees and executing various mechanism for follow up, escort services, trial production and monitoring of the food processing project activities.
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