The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), today organized a seminar on Food Processing Opportunities in West Bengal and Buyer Seller Meet in Kolkata with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Govt. Of India and supported by the Department of Food Processing Industries & Horticulture, Govt. of West Bengal and West Bengal Livestock Development Corporation Ltd., Govt. of West Bengal.
Shri Sanjay Kumar Singh, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Govt. of India, Shri Jayanta Kumar Aikat, IAS, Commissioner, Department of Food Processing Industries & Horticulture, Govt. of West Bengal, Dr. Gouri Shankar Koner, Managing Director, West Bengal Livestock Development Corpn. Ltd., Govt. of West Bengal, Smt. Perminder Jeet Kaur, Director for East & North East Assocham,Shri Ranjan D. Sen, Chairman, ASSOCHAM Agri Inputs Council – East and Dr. A. R. Khan, Chief General Manager, NABARD, were present to grace the occasion.
The seminar focused on to create a platform for knowledge sharing on innovative and cost-effective technologies, adopt improved production techniques to meet the higher quality standard, raise awareness among entrepreneurs on various MoFPI schemes with resources person from NABARD, SBI, APEDA, FSSAI, development of Food Processing infrastructure and to review the challenges and needs of warehousing, cold storage for Food Processing Sector and linking FPOs, Marketing Agencies, Logistics Providers and Research Institutes, regulatory issues / laws relating to Food Processing/ Food Safety were also key points of the workshop that discussed ways to boost MSMEs and entrepreneurs of the state and also focused on International export opportunities and potential in food processing sector.
In the food and agro processing sector, West Bengal is one of the three front running states in India. Fruits, Vegetables and Cereals grave in abundance in West Bengal. West Bengal in terms of agriculture is the largest producer of rice, pineapple, vegetables and fruits in the country, second largest producer of potatoes and lychees. The state accounts 30% of potatoes, 27% pineapples, 12% of bananas and 16% of India’s rice production. Additionally, fruits like mangoes, papayas, guava and jackfruit and vegetables like tomatoes, cauliflowers, cabbage, eggplant and pumpkin are available in plenty.
Shri Sanjay Kumar Singh, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Govt. of India, said, “Since the level of food processing is low, we are continutining under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojna for 2022-2026, with a budget outlay of 4,600 cr. with the target of modern infrastructure establishment in Food Processing sector so as to benefit farmers and create employment”. He said 6 lakh youth in terms of employment and 50 lakh farmers as well in the food processing sector have been benefitted from the flagship program with the past years. He also encouraged varoius entereprises to participate in the schemes and take benefits from the available ones while explainig all the criteria, benefits and supports regarding the same.
The Food processing sector is identified with providing a vital linkage and synergy between the agriculture and industry. The food processing sector with allied services such as the logistics and storage industry of Bengal impacts the business ecosystem of the region and the neighboring countries of Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan.