MoFPI, NIFTEM & Invest India organize a workshop on 'Partnership for inclusive development of food processing sector in Madhya Pradesh'

A day-long workshop was organized by the ministry of food processing industries, Invest India and NIFTEM Kundli in Jabalpur on 26 April 2022. The one-day workshop was based on the theme ' Partnership for inclusive development of food processing sector in Madhya Pradesh', highlighting the golden future in the food processing sector in Madhya Pradesh and the possibilities of new employment opportunities for the youth in the sector.

The event's chief guest, Prahlad Singh Patel, union minister of state, Ministry of Food Processing Industries and Jal Shakti, Government of India, inaugurated the workshop by lighting the lamp. Om Prakash Saklecha, minister of MSME, Madhya Pradesh and other dignitaries were present on occasion.

In his address, the union minister of state thanked the prime minister, Narendra Modi, for a multi-pronged scheme like PLI. He said, "Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana is the most successful scheme of the ministry of food processing industries, through which the processing sector is getting stronger. Through this scheme, Indian brands will be able to make their mark globally."

Taking his point forward, Patel said, "Through the assistance of Rs 10,000 crore to 2 lakh small entrepreneurs of the country within five years, we want to upgrade it so that we reach a higher level in food processing. The world has loved Indian cuisine, recognizing their challenges; let us speed up our work. This workshop is an important milestone for the same."

The second session of the workshop was focused on the technical side of the food processing industry. The session included an important presentation by Dr Prabhat K. Nema, Dean of Research, NIFTEM, Kundli on the food processing sector and capacity building of food processors/entrepreneurs in Madhya Pradesh. He spoke on various products, including ODOP products. He explained the technical support and training programme to be given under NIFTEM, an educational institution under the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.

This was followed by the Invest India Group's presentation on the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana of the ministry of food processing industries. The presentation included details on the ministry's financial assistance on various sub-schemes of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana and investment-based points in the processing sector.

In the technical session, a special presentation was also made by MP state agricultural development corporation on the present status of PMFME launched under the self-reliant India campaign.

A question-and-answer session was organized at the end of the workshop, along with investors/entrepreneurs/FPOs and participants who attended the workshop. The session witnessed the active participation of MOFPI officers NIFTEM Kundli, PMFME division, Invest India, and NABARD, financial institutions, officials from the bank, MOFPI, PMA to answer their queries.