NEW DELHI: Sikkim Lok Sabha MP Indra Hang Subba met with Chirag Paswan, the Minister of Food Processing Industries, to discuss issues that are important to the state's organic agricultural and food processing industries.
Subba brought up the urgent matter of grants-in-aid for the Rangpo Pakyong district's Integrated Processing Unit (IPU), which was constructed by Sikkim IFFCO Organics Limited (SIOL), at the meeting.
A key factor in improving Sikkim's farming community and promoting its organic produce internationally is the IPU, a cutting-edge facility for processing organic produce like buckwheat, turmeric, ginger, and huge cardamom.
While stressing that all requirements have now been met, Subba informed the minister of the compliance issues that had previously prevented the proposal under the CEFPPC scheme from being approved. Subba further urged the minister to take another look and approve the financial assistance in order to guarantee the facility's timely operationalisation.
Subba emphasised the significance of developing food processing infrastructure throughout Sikkim in addition to the IPU.
Every town and possible village in the state would have to have micro food processing facilities, according to his proposal. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of providing industry-standard training and resources to facilitate the processing of local organic foods for Self-Help Groups (SHGs), cooperatives such as Multi-Purpose Cooperative Societies (MPCS), and other groups.
He pointed out that in addition to improving the organic produce value chain, these programs would also raise the standard of living for farmers and business owners and generate job possibilities.
Subba's dedication to developing Sikkim's food processing industry was commended by Minister Paswan, who also promised that the Ministry will give the suggestions a careful thought. He emphasized the importance of Sikkim as a world leader in organic farming and reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to promoting equitable and sustainable regional development.
The initiative is a major step in securing Sikkim's place as a leader in organic farming and food processing, guaranteeing its farmers' prosperity, and bolstering India's organic value chain internationally.
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