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Strategies to integrate locals into food processing aim of Ladakh summit
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Saturday, 18 January, 2020, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, New Delhi
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Carrying out a value chain mapping of food processing in Ladakh, and recommending strategies for integrating the local population into food processing and agriculture activities to maximise the potential of the sector were the objectives of the Ladakh Food Processing Summit, which took place in Leh recently.
This was stated by the minister of food processing industry (MoFPI), Government of India whose joint secretary, Reema Prakash, inaugurated it with Saugat Biswas, secretary, Industries and Commerce.
Building Partnerships for Inclusive Growth in Food Processing Sector was the theme of the meet, which was organised by the Department of Industries and Commerce, Ladakh, in partnership with MoFPI and Invest India, the national investment promotion and facilitation agency.
It was attended by the food producers of Ladakh, especially, apricots, barley, seabuckthorn, organic vegetables, peas, apples, milk and meat from Leh and Kargil districts.
Apart from officers from MoFPI, technology experts from the National Institute of Food Technology and Entrepreneurship Management (NITFAM), the Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology (IIFPT), banks working in Ladakh, and buyers from the Army participated in the summit.
During the inauguration, Ladakh’s industries and commerce secretary Moses Kunzang said that the administration of the Union Territory (UT) was making efforts to give a fillip to its food processing industry.
He added that food production added with value will reap the maximum benefit for the local growers.
The secretary mentioned the vision of the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh to promote the local population by providing the platform to boost their interest and talent through expert guidance from the Government of India and supporting agencies.
Addressing the gathering, Prakash outlined MoFPI’s role in ensuring value addition of produces through food processing schemes and programmes. She said that the ministry was focussing on promoting food processing in the UT of Ladakh for both Leh and Kargil.
She informed about the prepared Ladakh Action Plan for Food Processing Industries in consultation with the local stakeholders and stressed on endeavours to ensure actionable steps at ground level.
Prakash expressed her hope towards a positive outcome in developing food processing units in Ladakh, with maximum benefit for the locals.
“Though almost 60 producers from Kargil district participated through video conference, a separate workshop will be organised specific to Kargil in the coming months,” Biswas informed.
Kunzang highlighted the existing issues, potentials and requirements of industries in Ladakh, through a detailed power point presentation.
He added that this summit was the first in a series of steps necessary to fulfill the overall goal, and as a next step, MoFPI, along with the appropriate agencies, will develop implementation plans for the critical areas identified.
Invest India presented on various schemes available under the MoFPI to support the sector, followed by presentations by representatives from NIFTEM and IIFPT for providing required technical and skilling expertise.
An open house question and answer session was also held, wherein the local participants shared their doubts and problems. Ideas for marketing, promotion and financing were also shared by Invest India and officials from J&K Bank.
The summit was attended by about 170 participants including government officers, senior procurement officers from the Indian Army, bankers, farmers, entrepreneurs, cooperatives, bakers, dairy farmers and unemployed youths.
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