Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) will work closely with entrepreneurs of Nagaland and help in establishing food processing industry the State, ensuring that it becomes commercialised, viable and creates employment. This was stated by Dr Rakesh Sarwal, additional secretary in MoFPI during a workshop on Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojna (PMKSY) at State Capital Convention Centre here on Wednesday.
Mentioning that food processing was one sector that could help farmers earn and create employment avenues, Sarwal said the onus was on the entrepreneurs to add value and bring out commercial products that would increase the State’s income. He suggested establishing separate department for food processing with a dedicated team in the State to take the agenda forward, which would be very helpful for the State and local entrepreneurs.
According to him, Nagaland had the potential to compete globally in the food processing industry as raw materials were available locally. Referring to PMKSY that was launched in 2017, Sarwal explained that 50% subsidy was provided to the entrepreneurs under the scheme.
For instance, for a project worth Rs 1 crore, Rs 50 lakh would be provided by MoFPI as subsidy, Rs 40 lakh would be financed by bankers and Rs10 lakh would have to be invested by the entrepreneur.
Thus any entrepreneur, farmers producer organisation (FPO), NGO or government entity with the ability to shell out Rs 10 lakh and having good business idea was welcome to establish a food processing industry, he added. Further, he encouraged entrepreneurs to set up cold storages from farms to the markets, for which 50% subsidy would be provided, while cold storage having processing facility would get 75% subsidy.
Besides one lab already setup in the state under H&FW department, Sarwal said the government could establish more laboratories as there was 100% assistance available. He also urged the State government to establish training centres in district headquarters for capacity-building of prospective entrepreneurs, for which ITIs or any private entity can apply for support as 50% funding was available under MoFPI for building infrastructure of such centres.
In his address, chief secretary Temjen Toy said 70% of the State’s total population depended on agriculture for livelihood, though agriculture practised in Nagaland was conservative and traditional in nature that required urgent attention for increasing productivity.
He pointed out that taking their produce from farms to markets was the major challenge for the farmers as market linkages and cold storage were absent, while ignorance where to sell the produce also acted as another hurdle.
He said though many studies were conducted by the academia and State government, a proper solution to the problem still appeared elusive. He added that the farmers too needed to add value. Citing instances of Naga King Chilli, ginger and other spices, vegetables, coffee, etc, Toy observed that Nagaland had the potential of not only becoming a major producing State in the country, but also could compete globally.
Highlighting the hardships faced by the State in following the funding pattern for such projects, he hoped the funding would not be in the ratio of 50:50, but 100% or at least in the ratio of 90:10 to implement any Central scheme.
In his brief introduction, Federation of Industry & Commerce for North East Region (FINER) president Pabitra Buragohain sought views of 10 to 15 entrepreneurs of the State, besides becoming members of the federation so that a local unit could be set up in Nagaland.
Heads of departments FPO representatives, entrepreneurs and others attended the workshop.
RELATED POSTS
View all
