The need of processing and value addition of agriculture and allied sectors for ensuring livelihood security of the farmers and also preventing the migration from the hills. The Hon’ble Governor of Uttarakhand, Dr. Krishna Kant Paul advised the delegates in his inaugural address in the one day seminar on Food Processing and Kisan Sampda Yojna organized by ICAR- Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Dehradun in collaboration with ASSOCHAM, New Delhi.
He further emphasized on the formation of “Agri-business consortium” for bringing all farm to market related information under a single window which could benefit the farmers and entrepreneurs to do the processing activities more smoothly.
Shri Subodh Uniyal, Minister of Agriculture of Uttarakhand, detailed the various Government Schemes benefiting farmers and entrepreneurs for processing and Value addition. He said Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojna have a lot of scope in Uttarakhand state given its climatic suitability for growing various high value crops like horticulture, floriculture, spices etc. He urged the youth and farmers to make cooperatives and groups to take up food processing and value addition of products as business enterprises to self sustain and generate employment for the society.
Dr. P.K. Mishra, Director, ICAR-IISWC in his welcome address explained how inception of food processing starts very early at our home. He stated that though it was one day program but it is a gateway for awareness for farmers and entrepreneurs who would be benefitted in the long run.
The program was attended by around 200 delegates comprising 75 farmers from Raipur, Dehradun and 105 students from Dolphin Institute of Biomedical and Natural Sciences, Dehradun.
Chander Mohan
Krishi Jagran
