Workshop held on linking budding entrepreneurs in food processing sector with different agencies and schemes

ANUSHA GURUNG
GANGTOK, 24 Jan: ASSOCHAM (Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India) in collaboration with Ministry of Food Processing Industries, ICAR and Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER) organized a workshop today at Hotel Rendezvous. The aim of the workshop was to act as an interface between Small Time Entrepreneurs and front line officers from the different central government ministries and bodies as well as the various departments of the State government.
The workshop sought to assimilate the small and budding entrepreneurs with the various govt. schemes, to analyze the agro-horticultural resources of the region, to identify the problems of food processing industries in the state and to identify the economic feasibility of food processing industries.
Senior Director ASSOCHAM, Dr. Ombeer Tyagi in his preliminary address outlined the need for organizing this workshop. He said, “The agro-climatic condition in the State makes it suitable for growing almost all kinds of agricultural and horticultural crops and setting up of food processing industries. Government of India is promoting the food processing sector in the region to utilize its vast potential of raw horticultural produce through its various financial assistance schemes primarily through Ministry of Food Processing Industries and agencies like MSME, NHB, APEDA, NABARD, QCI, NHM etc along with the Government of Sikkim”.
He further added that “To develop strategic symbiotic synergy between the efforts of the Government and the industries, ASSOCHAM in collaboration with Ministry of Food Processing Industries took an initiative to organize this workshop with an aim to reach the budding processed food units in the state of Sikkim and make them aware about various assistance plans and schemes of the Central and State Government”.
Joint Director ICAR Sikkim, Saroj Toppo, in her address highlighted the constraints in the backward and forward linkages in the food processing sector and called upon the State government to play an important catalytic role in this effort by building partnerships with various central Government bodies, bankers, financial institutions and technical & management institutions. Appreciating the farmers of the state, she mentioned that although hardworking the farmers here lack financial support.
Director Agriculture, Khorla Bhutia shed some light on some of the centrally sponsored schemes which are being successfully run by the State government. He made a special mention of the National Watershed Program for Rainfed Areas (NWPRA) which is one of the most widely implemented Central Govt. schemes in Sikkim. In his address, he focused on the potential of Sikkim in the food processing industry.
Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Sanjay Singh in his address emphasized on promotion of entrepreneurship in North Eastern states and applauded ASSOCHAM for bringing this important agenda to notice by organizing this workshop. He also suggested diversifying agriculture in Sikkim via veterinary, poultry, floriculture etc.
Special Secretary, Department of Commerce and Industry, PT Ethenpa, present as the chief guest at the workshop in his inaugural address touched upon various topics like Attributes of a Successful Entrepreneur, Challenges faced by him/her and the support and assistance provided by the Government, Educational Institutes and apex industry bodies like ASSOCHAM. He said that knowledge, hard work, drive, mental strength, resilience, patience, creativity, passion and vision are extremely important to succeed.
On the other hand, challenges which could be faced by an entrepreneur are limited capital, lack of access, lack of knowledge, competition, pricing and technologies. He also gave a holistic picture of the Indian Food industry as well as scope of Sikkim to get itself in the forefront. The food processing sector has undoubtedly the potential to be an industry driver that can transform India’s rural economy, he stated.
Several food processing units are mushrooming all over the state and we are optimistic that the increase in the production of spices, fruits and vegetables as well cultivation of cash crops in the coming years will lead to a burgeoning food processing industry in the state, the Secretary added.
The workshop concluded with the vote of thanks by Programme Coordinator KVK Sikkim, AK Mohanty where he thanked ASSOCHAM and all the speakers on the dais for their valuable inputs.