New industrial policy to lay stress on food processing

OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Feb 25: Promotion of food processing industry will be a major component in the proposed new industrial policy of Assam.

This was stated by additiol director of Industries and Commerce Department in Assam Government Prafulla Saikia. He said food processing is an emerging industry for young entrepreneurs and the state would not miss the opportunity to use the same to give the much-needed impetus for industrialization in the state.

Saikia, who was addressing a semir on Northeast food processing and technology organized by  the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries in association Federation of Industry and Commerce of North Eastern Region (FINER) here on Saturday morning, highlighted the need for quality raw materials to be made available to the producers in the Northeast.

The main objective of the Semir was to dissemite appropriate information to the prospective investors and investment partners from the region regarding the Centre's thrust area and to emphasize new products and processes.

Former FINER chairman RS Joshi spoke about the need for value addition to the fruits and vegetables available in the Northeast.

During the technical session, Puneet Agarwal, director of Manjushree made a valuable presentation on the packaging methods and the innovative ways food cans be preserved and stored.

While Arindam Choudhury of APEDA gave an insight into the current state of the food processing industry in the Northeast, entrepreneur Mala Moni Hazarika of Kamdhenu Industries went down memory lane on as to how she scripted a success story from just a few kg of mangoes to a flourishing enterprise.

Ajit Sarma of Bhogali Jalpan spoke about his success story over the past couple of decades and also underlined the need for both raw materials and market linkage.

A  Deorah of Ashray Food Concepts said that food processing starts from one's kitchens. Besides, a few other representatives from companies such as the Mangaldai-based SRD Group, Global Entrade, J-14 among others, made lively presentations during the technical session.

Participants at the programme include various departments of state/ development organizations and entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship development organizations, trade and industry associations/ NGOs / training institutes/university and colleges/fincial organizations/ industry captains/ diversified business persons.

The semir ended with a vote of thanks by Indrani Choudhury, Deputy Director General of FINER.