16-February-2024: PM SVANidhi Scheme, Mandi Updates, SUFALAM 2024, FSSAI Expands Food Safety Training, Baagwani Mahotsava 2024

16 February 2024

• PM SVANidhi Scheme: 10,000 Street Vendors Receive Loans in Today's Mega Camp

  Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs and Petroleum & Natural Gas, emphasized the critical need for the PM SVANidhi scheme during the pandemic. He highlighted how India's street vendors bore the brunt of economic upheaval, prompting the conceptualization of the scheme. The primary objective was to revive the autonomy and dignity of street vendors, restoring their self-reliance and pride in their work.

• Mandi Updates: Wholesale Garlic Prices Soar Amid Low Production

  Garlic prices are skyrocketing amid low production this rabi season. The data by the Agmarknet portal, run by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, shows an average month-on-month rise of around Rs 4,440 per quintal of garlic in wholesale markets. The prices of the close relative of onion are expected to cool down with new arrivals across mandis.

• SUFALAM 2024 Wraps Up, Urging Food Start-ups to Prioritize Innovation, Collaboration, and Technology

  The Start Up Forum for Aspiring Leaders and Mentors (SUFALAM) 2024 concluded on a high note, highlighting the importance of innovations, collaborations, and advanced technologies in transforming start-ups in the food processing domain into established businesses. The two-day event, held on February 13th and 14th in New Delhi, witnessed the participation of key stakeholders from various sectors, including government officials, industry experts, financial institutions, and academia.

• FSSAI Expands Food Safety Training to State/UT Bhawans and Government Canteens

  The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has embarked on a mission to empower the food safety ecosystem across the nation. As part of its Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) programme, the authority is providing training sessions to food handlers at State/UT Bhawans and government office canteens situated in the National Capital. Training sessions have already commenced at four State Bhawans, namely Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Sikkim. These sessions, along with those conducted at the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), North Block, aim to equip food handlers with essential knowledge and skills about food safety standards.

• Baagwani Mahotsava 2024: Showcasing Bihar's Agricultural Diversity at Gandhi Maidan, Patna

  The much-awaited Baagwani Mahotsava 2024, a prestigious event celebrating agriculture, is all set to grace the grounds of Gandhi Maidan, Patna, from February 16 to 18, 2024. The Directorate of Horticulture in Bihar has organized this amazing festival to bring farmers from all around the state together to honour their experience, knowledge, and contributions to the agricultural landscape. Sanjay Kumar Agrawal, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Bihar, announced that the festival will kick off with a formal inauguration on February 16, 2024. The honour of inaugurating the event will be bestowed upon the esteemed Deputy Chief Minister cum Agriculture Minister of Bihar.