Promote food processing industry in J&K:Vohra

      Srinagar, October 18 (Scoop News) –  N. N. Vohra, Governor, today called for the promotion of food processing industry in Jammu and Kashmir to meaningfully benefit the growers. He said that the Farm Universities, Government’s Extension Agencies, NABARD, J&K Bank and other Banks in J&K, and the corporate sector would need to collaborate closely for developing agriculture sector related entrepreneurship in the State.          

The Governor was addressing the concluding session of the Food and Agri Processors Conclave on the theme “Linking Clusters To Markets” organized jointly by the Directorate of Extension Education, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Kashmir, Union Ministry of Food Processing Industry and ASSOCHAM, New Delhi,  here this evening.          

The Governor observed that there is vast potential for the promotion of food processing industry in the State and stressed for optimally benefiting from the available schemes for value addition to enhance the incomes of the growers. The Governor, who is the Chancellor of the University, suggested to Dr. Tej Partap, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST, Kashmir, to set up a nucleus group comprising representatives of ASSOCHAM, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, NABARD, J&K Bank, Trade and Industry and the growers to see that at least a dozen viable projects in the cold chain and food processing industry arena get established in the State within the next 10 – 12 months.          

The Governor also stressed for establishing cold stores, cold chain and effectively utilizing post-harvest technologies for securing enhanced incomes for the growers. He added that agriculture, horticulture and other allied sectors, if developed on scientific lines, have vast scope for promoting growth in the State. He also emphasized the need for setting up pilot projects to demonstrate the efficacy of entrepreneurship development in the food processing sector and, besides, linking clusters to markets.          

The Governor released a Souvenir brought out on the occasion.                

Dr. Tej Partap, Vice Chancellor of the University said that there is need for taking innovative measures for establishing strong linkages between clusters and markets. In this context, he added that there is also need for evolving new approaches to ensure requisite research inputs, technological support and new ideas to secure the desired results.              

 Nazir Ahmad Dar from the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry put forth several suggestions for the promotion of food processing industry in the State.           

Earlier, in his welcome address, Prof. Afifa S. Kamili, Director Extension Education, SKUAST, Kashmir, gave a resume of the discussions held during the working sessions of the Conclave.          

Dr. O. S. Tyagi, Director, ASSOCHAM, in his Vote of Thanks gave details of the various schemes being implemented by his organization for skill upgradation of the youth of the State.          

A large number of participants, Heads of Departments, Faculty members, entrepreneurs, members of self-help groups, growers and students of the University were present on the occasion.