A one day Conference on “Agri & Food Processor’s Conclave: Finance - Technology - Market” was organized today by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industries of India (ASSOCHAM) in collaboration with Ministry of Food & Processing Industries (MOFPI), Government of India Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (RVSKVV), Gwalior and Madhya Pradesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MPCCI) for providing a platform to aspiring food entrepreneurs, existing SMEs in food, agriculture professionals & students, progressive farmers, Self Help Groups, etc. for sharing their views and learn about latest initiatives and opportunities available in the field of Agro Food Industries.
Prof. Anil Kumar Singh, Vice Chancellor, Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (RVSKVV), Gwalior was the chief guest on the occasion. Inaugurating the Conference, Prof. Anil Kumar Singh said that: Food Processing Industry is of enormous significance for the development of Madhya Pradesh because of the vital linkages and synergies that it promotes between the two pillars of the economy, namely Industry and Agriculture. The growth potential of this sector is enormous and the consumption of value added food products will grow at a fast pace. The consumption of processed food has gone up considerably. The state is bestowed with 11 agro- climate divisions that has been a major precursor for growth and development of agriculture in the state. The vast Climate variation has made Madhya Pradesh a suitable place for cultivation of gamut of crops needing diverse environmental conditions. Youth are fond of processed food. This growth of the Food Processing Industry will bring immense benefits to the economy, raising agricultural yields, meeting productivity, creating employment and raising the standard of very large number of people the state, specially, in the rural areas. Madhya Pradesh is the first state to bring into line its economic development road map with Make in India - Make in Madhya Pradesh.
Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Emphasized upon the adoption of an integrated approach to facilitate development of agriculture and food processing industry in Madhya Pradesh. He mentioned that effort should be made to develop local marketing programme which will provide assured processed product remunerative price for producers and fair price to consumers. Hon’ble Vice Chancellor released the knowledge paper that was prepared by ASSOCHAM in association with RNCOS (Business Consultancy Services)
Shri. Vinod Bhargava, Deputy Commissioner, Gwalior Division , Shri Bhargava , said that Madhya Pradesh has immense opportunities in agro and food processing sector. At present, Madhya Pradesh has 6 government owned modern food park and 2 private food park. A profound change is taking place in agri – food economy in Madhya Pradesh due to the emergence of agri – industrial enterprises as part of border processes of agribusiness development. Investment opportunities exist in trading and processing agriculture produce. Additional opportunities in the development of allied infrastructure like warehousing and cold storage ripening chambers etc.
Shri Awdesh Chandra Saxena, Assistant General Manager, State Bank of India discussed various financial schemes funded by State Bank of India to help farmers and rural youths to develop into successful Agri entrepreneur. Process food enhances the employment opportunity. It also enhances the demand of the farm produce. He also mentioned that under NABARD initiative, 2000 crore fund has been sanctioned by the government to promote food-processing industry and also to encourage capacity building.
Dr J P Dixit, Dean College of Agriculture, Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (RVSKVV), Gwalior in his address said that Agriculture of Madhya Pradesh is one of the main sectors or the mainstay of the state's economy. Madhya Pradesh ranks second in terms of area and seventh in population in India. The state is primarily an agriculture state. Near about 73 percent population of the state is rural, which directly or indirectly depends on agriculture for earning a livelihood. Thus, agriculture plays an important role by contributing immensely to the economy. conducts education research and extension activities for enhancing productivity optimization of profit and sustainability of agricultural production system and improving rural livelihood in Madhya Pradesh. It also serves as a centre of higher education and research in the field of agriculture and allied sciences.
Shri Rajiv Joshi, Joint Director, Agriculture, Development of Farmer Welfare and Agriculture Development Government of Madhya Pradesh talked about the various scheme of the Government of Madhya Pradesh for promoting Food processing industries in Madhya Pradesh
Ms Purnima Dhingra, Deputy Director ,ASSOCHASM said about the current trends in Finance, Technology and Marketing in Food Processing sector. She also talked about the opportunities that exist for youth entrepreneurs in sectors such as marketing, quality testing and implementation of new agri technologies to improve production.
Dr Praveen Agarwal, Hony. Secretary, Madhya Pradesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that “Madhya Pradesh is one of the fastest growing states in terms of food processing industry. The abundance of variety of crops, government initiatives, and technological advancements are fuelling growth in state’s food processing industry”.
One of the key challenges for Madhya Pradesh food processing industry is inadequate infrastructure. With changing consumption pattern, especially in urban areas, demand of processed food is increasing, which is further drawing foreign investments in the sector but insufficient infrastructure hampers the expected growth prospects. Due to lack of standardization of quality norms at mandi level, comparable quality produce can fetch different prices and different quality produce are sold at similar prices .Presenting a warm Vote of thanks, Dr M. M. Patel, Professor & Head, Department of Extension Education, Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (RVSKVV) highlighted the importance of Conference for the enthusiastic budding entrepreneurs for starting new ventures in agriculture
Other speakers who addressed the Conference included Dr. Suresh Singh Tomar, Dean of Agriculture, Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Gwalior, Shri R B Rajodia, Joint Director, Department of Horticulture, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Rajiv Joshi, Joint Director, Department of Farmer welfare and Agriculture Development- Gwalior, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Sanjeev Raman, Assistant General Manager, NANARD Dr Sudhir Chaturvedi, Retired Manager, Quality Control, Food Corporation of India- Gwalior and Shri Udai Kumar Saxena, Assessor and FSMS expert, NABCB- Qulaity Council of India.
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