Port Blair, Mar 04: The food processing training under ENI India/ ONGC supported project managed by UNNATI in association with Industries, agriculture, ITI, A & N State Coop. Union and NABARD for 10 days training in food processing started on marine and coconut based products was concluded on 03.03.2012.
Smti. Maimuna, Pradhan, Beodnabad thanked UNNATI and all concerned line department for organizing such need based and locally available raw materials training for starting self employment venture to increase their income condition Shri. C. Mohammed, President, UNNATI said that there is good response from public for such training and joint working of UNNATI and line departments and active participation of Pradhan and tribal council yielded good results.
We organized training at Burmanalla, R.K. Pur, Hutbay, Harbinderbay, Dollygunj, Stewartgunj and trained 180 trainees within a period of 2½ months. He said the interest and initiative shown by the Pradhans in selection of genuine trainees and extending their local support for conducting training programme are commenable.
During the interaction in the concluding function at Burmanallah and other places the trainees expressed their difficulties in getting food processing preservatives and packing materials besides obtaining licences under food processing rules/ regulation for starting production on commercial scale. President, UNNATI informed that these issues have already been taken up by UNNATI with the Administration and the matter regarding supply of preservatives departmentally is under consideration of the Administration. The trainees at Burmanallah and other places demand setting up mini-coconut desiccated plant at Panchayat Level departmentally for using same by coconut growers.
UNNATI also explained that the food processing is providing ample self-employment opportunities for improving economic condition of the community particularly women section of the society. Therefore, UNNATI is giving preference in to women food processing. During 2½ month, 163 women candidates were trained out of total 180 candidates trained so far. UNNATI also organizing a food processing training to 40 women candidates at Havelock on 06.03.2012 on the eve of International women’s day.
