Port Blair, Sept 24: Smti. Rani, President, Joint Liability Group welcomed the gathering. Mr. A. P. Jabbir, Pradhan, Manarghat, Gram Panchayat was the Chief guest in the function mentioned that in the food processing activities in these Islands the contribution of UNNATI is commendable. He further said in sensitizing rural community about Rural Development programmes, employment generation schemes cancer awareness and tobacco control the role of UNNATI is appreciable.
Mr. C. Mohammed, President, UNNATI in his address mentioned about the scope of food processing in A & N Islands and narrated various concessions, available for setting up food processing Industries from Food Processing Ministry and assistance from National Mission on food processing established recently under Directorate of Industries. He said considering the scope of food processing and ample employment generation in this sector UNNATI started working in the field of food processing since 2006 and more than 700 members of Self Help Groups and unemployed youths were trained in food processing on locally available raw materials. He said that UNNATI was also made member of food processing committee constituted by the Administration and made various suggestions to Administrations for popularizing food processing activities in these Islands. The candidates trained in food processing could not start production on commercial scale due to operation of various stringent food processing laws but recently these laws have been repealed/ replaced by food safety & standard Authority of India and under the new act licence/registration is being issued by the Directorate of Health Services. Now UNNATI’s food processing training has been registered and the trainees already trained and now being trained can use the infrastructure of UNNATI’s training centre for production purpose till they set up their own unit and obtain licences UNNATI also making arrangement for production of veg and non-veg food processing items in two different premises as per food processing law. Now a few trainees already started production. More trainees now can start production when assistance are made available to the food processing entrepreneurs from National Mission on food processing and various decisions taken by the Administration on the request of UNNATI are also implemented.
Mr. Ragwan, Manager, NABARD who was guest of honor for the 10 days training programme on coconut and marine based product organized by UNNATI in association with Directorate of Industries, Agriculture and Gram Panchayat with the support of NABARD. He explained various schemes of NABARD including marketing support scheme for sale Self Help Group products. He appreciated the efforts of UNNATI in the field of food processing only NGO- working in the field of food processing.
Mr. Raja IPO of Directorate of Industries explained in details about National Mission on food processing, a centrally sponsored scheme being implemented by the Directorate of Industries. He said that contribution of UNNATI for promotion of food processing and popularizing same among rural women is known to all. It is the first NGO which is conducted a number of food processing training programmes in all the Districts of A & N Islands.
Mr. Janak explained in details about quality control in food production
Mr. Ghayaz Meshack, Vice Chairman A & N State Coop. Union also advised trainees to adopt food processing as a self employment venture when various government assistance and assistance of UNNATI is also readily available. He said UNNATI is also taking various issues relating to food processing with the Administration & is working in the field of food processing since 2006. Now also set up a food processing training centre Dollygunj. The trainees should use the centre till they have their own unit.
Process of tuna fish pickle was demonstrated to the trainees by S/S Janak, K. Venkata Kiran and Smti. Ayesha.
