The Knowledge Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) with support from the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India and Vidarbha Industries Association (VIA) organized a Conclave on Food Processing in VIA Auditorium, Nagpur. This conclave focused on emerging opportunities and various schemes and incentives available for the Food processing Sector and also Promoted World Food India 2023 which will be organized by MoFPI on 3-5 November at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
Food Processing is one of the thrust areas of the Govt. of Maharashtra with a separate policy and special schemes to boost the sector. Development of Food Processing units & Post Harvest Management is the priority area for the Government and gives lots of incentives under Centre PMFME and other schemes for the development of the food processing sector.
The Conclave was inaugurated by Dr. Vipin Itankar, Collector & District Magistrate, Nagpur. He stated that Maharashtra Government is focused on the Food Processing Cluster for the development of modern infrastructure and common facilities to encourage groups of entrepreneurs to set up food processing units based on cluster approach by linking groups of producers/ farmers to the processors and markets through a well-equipped supply chain with modern infrastructure. He stated about GI tag and example about the Bhiwapur chillies from the Nagpur and Vidarbha area are stark red in colour, but do not give any gastric problem. The GI tag will create an immediate export market for these agricultural products, most of which are from villages. He appreciated the efforts of Knowledge Chamber and VIA support for this timely initiative.
Manohar Bhojwani, Chairman, Dall Millers Cluster and CEO, Diet Foods International-India, Dr. Suhas Buddhe, Vice President, VIA and CMD, Biocare India, Dr. Amit Joshi and Mr. Nakul Prakash Lakhe, Director’s, KCCI also highlighted their views in the Inaugural session.
In the technical sessions : Ravindra Manohare, District Superintendent Agriculture Officer, Department of Agriculture, Government of Maharashtra, Arvind Upriker, District Nodal Officer – PMFME, Pranita Chaure, BDM, APEDA, Santosh Rao More, AGM, SIDBI and Sachin Madhukar Sonone, District Development Manager, NABARD created awareness about the various schemes of their respective bodies.
The programme was well attended and appreciated by more than 150 entrepreneurs, MSMEs and other stakeholders of Food Processing Industries.