Opinion
First ever summit on food processing held in Ladakh LEH: The first ever food processing summit on the theme “Building Partnership for Inclusive Growth in Food Processing Sector” was held here, today. The summit was organized by the Department of Industries and Commerce Union Territory of Ladakh in collaboration with Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) and Invest India (National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency). The daylong event was attended by various stakeholders including Defense representatives, scientist from DIHAR, bankers, entrepreneurs, unemployed youth, farmers, agriculturist, milk production units and cooperatives societies. Head of various departments headed by Deputy Commissioner Leh, Sachin Kumar Vaishya also attended the summit. Similarly various stakeholders from Kargil district headed by Deputy Commissioner, Kargil Baseer-Ul-Haq Choudhary also attended the summit through video conferences. Joint Secretary Ministry of Food Processing Industry, GoI, Reema Prakash was the chief guest during the inaugural session. Expressing her delight to be part of the first ever food processing summit in Ladakh, Reema Prakash in her inaugural speech said that such summit is held to help young entrepreneurs for value addition in food processing to increase the income. She said that Union Government is keen to develop UT Ladakh at par other regions and help up to 75% assistance and training will be provided to upcoming entrepreneurs. She also assured to hold similar workshop in Kargil very soon and informed about organic festival to be held in Delhi from February 21 to February 23 for the young women entrepreneurs and invited women entrepreneurs from Ladakh. UT Ladakh Secretary Industrial and Commerce, Saugat Biswas said that idea of such summit is to empower and develop the capacity in food producers in Ladakh focusing on agriculture, horticulture and forest to add value to their product directly benefiting the primary producers for holistic development of the region. He added that UT Ladakh Lt. Governor, R K Mathur had discussed about potential in Ladakh with different Ministry and soon number of such workshops will be conducted by different Ministries to explore the scope and potential here. Joint Secretary Ministry of Food Processing Industry, GoI Reema Prakash Kargil District Deputy Commissioner, Baseer-Ul-Haq Choudhary through video conference urged the Food Processing Ministry to focus on three key issues in Kargil which includes processing units, Marketing and transportation of apricot, staple crops Barley. He said that that Kargil procures nearly 10,000/ metric tons of apricots out of which only 15% could be exported. He also urged the MoFPI team to visit Kargil for field survey in Kargil to check for the scope of Organic products. Director Commerce and Industry, Ladakh Moses Kunzang highlighted the agriculture and food processing value addition in Ladakh in Agriculture economy. He said that Seabucthorn alone have the potential to change the Ladakh’s economy. Invest India Amit Manohar through PowerPoint presentation mentioned about Central Government various schemes and support to food processing units. He said under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojna they are focusing on Seabuckthorn, Apricot, Buckwheat, Dairy, Apples and women entrepreneurs in Ladakh. |
