Tap opportunities in food processing sector: Meghalaya CM to young entrepreneurs

New Delhi, Feb 6 (KNN) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma urged the people, especially the young entrepreneurs, to utilize the opportunities in the food processing sector.

He was speaking at the 2 day workshop on ‘Food Processing Opportunities in Meghalaya’ organized by the Directorate of Food Processing in partnership with Meghalaya Institute of Entrepreneurship (MIE) and Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA) at the State Convention Centre in Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya.

Stating that processed food accounts for only 10 per cent of the total agricultural produce of the State, the Chief Minister asserted that the need to expand the sector to create avenues for livelihood generation through entrepreneurship and improve the economic status of farmers.

He informed that the government has recently created the Directorate of Food Processing to tap the potential and give adequate thrust to agro processing activities in the state.

The chief minister also stated the need for proactive participation from farmers at the grassroots level and rural entrepreneurs for the food processing industry to move forward.

He said that the government is taking keen interest for the development of entrepreneurship in the state and has embarked on various programs to handhold, nurture and assist the budding entrepreneurs in the state.

He also urged the people to look beyond domestic markets and look at neighbouring countries as a source of marketing the goods produced in the region.

Speaking on the ocassion, Agriculture Production Commissioner, K N Kumar informed the gathering that according to the report of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, the total value of food processing industry will touch Rs 3.45 lakh crore in 2020.