Workshop on 'Food Processing Opportunities in Manipur'Food processing industry significantly helps in improving socio-economic status, says Nemcha Kipgen

IMPHAL, May 25 (DIPR)
A workshop on 'Food Processing Opportunities in Manipur' was held today followed by a Buyers Sellers Meet at City Convention Centre.
The workshop was organized by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) in partnership with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India to focus on the Central and State Government schemes and food processing opportunities.
The program also focused on linking entrepreneurs with partners for forward-linkages and to promote the State's economic vibrancy in terms of trade and commerce, buyer-seller interactions, logistics, thus enabling sustainable and inclusive development.
Addressing the gathering as Chief Guest, Commerce and Industry Minister, Nemcha Kipgen expressed that the food processing industry significantly helps in improving the socio-economic status of the people. She pointed out that India's growing food processing industry is already one of the largest in the world, with an output expected to touch Fifty Thousand (50,000) Crore Rupees by 2025.
Manipur needs this sunrise sector to take off in a big way, to make agriculture more profitable and to increase the overall per capita income of the State as more than 70 percent of State’s population is still engaged in the agricultural sector, the Minister said.
She also stressed on the necessity for developing the food processing industry in the State as Manipur has favourable agro-climatic conditions for horticultural crops.
While highlighting the advantage of the inherent strength, she urged the entrepreneurs and business owners to familiarise themselves and avail the opportunities of the various Government schemes under Department of Commerce and Industry, Government of Manipur.
She also appealed all to avail the services of Nilakuthi Food Park and other upcoming similar parks and make use of the food labs for quality control and rent the factory spaces.
The Minister further informed that indigenous food products like Black Rice Laddoo, black rice fruit and nut cookies, Kabok (puffed rice) mixture, Manipuri Casava Burfi, Bamboo Shoot Murabba and Fig Laddoo were developed under the incubation lab project of Manipur Food Industries Corporation Limited (MFICL). She also stated that the Government always plays the part of enablers and facilitators in the best possible way and the Government is in the process of reforming the industrial and investment policies to improve the ease of doing business in Manipur.
The workshop was also graced by Ranjan D Sen, Chairman ASSOCHAM Agriculture Council, Y Robita, Director Department of Trade, Commerce and Industry, Govt of Manipur, Dr N Joykumar Singh, Dean, College of Food Technology, Central Agricultural University, Imphal and members from Self Help Groups, stakeholders concerned.