Chandigarh: March 4,2023
Food Processing and Agribusiness Conference was organised today at Chandigarh by Knowledge Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India (KCCI). The conference was supported by Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India. The Punjab Chamber of Commerce and industry, Krishi udhmi krishak Vikas chamber, Indian Investors Federation was Supporting Partner for highlighting the local perspective of Punjab.
Chetan Singh Jouramajra, Minister of Food Processing & Horticulture, Government of Punjab inaugurated the conference in presence of more than Hundred Food Processing industries, Entrepreneurs, FPOs, Starups of Punjab.
The other dignitaries like Ravneet Kaur, IAS, Special Chief Secretary, Food Processing, Government of Punjab, Smt. Sreemathi Ghosh, Under Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, Shri Rahul Mittal, Hon. Representative, Knowledge Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dalip Sharma, Secretary General, Punjab Chamber of Commerce and Industry addresses during the inaugural session of the conferece.
Punjab’s economy has been primarily agriculture-based since the Green Revolution due to the presence of abundant water sources and fertile soils; most of the state lies in a fertile alluvial plain with many rivers and an extensive irrigation canal system. Punjab makes up for about 17% of India’s wheat production, around 12% of its rice production, and around 5% of its milk production, being known as India’s breadbasket. Despite covering only 1.53% of its geographical area, Punjab makes up for about 15–20% of India’s wheat production, around 12% of its rice production, and around 10% of its milk production.
Punjab Food Processing cabinet minister Chetan Singh Jouramajra said the state government is giving a major push to the food processing sector, which will create job opportunities for youth on one hand and immensely benefit farmers as well. He stated that state is emerging as a food processing hub. He said the state government has put food processing sector in key thrust areas and offering a host of incentives to food processing units.
The minister said Punjab CM has already announced to set up 20 dedicated Rural Industrial Hubs across the state will boost industrial development. He further said that these hubs will be equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure to facilitate industrialists in setting up their units. The Minister assured fulsome support and cooperation to the start-ups, Entrepreneurs, industrialists opting for setting up their units in Punjab.
Ravneet Kaur, IAS, Special Chief Secretary, Food Processing, Government of Punjab said that in Punjab Invest summit industrial and business houses who responded positively to invest in the state. Punjab govt giving major push to food processing sector and Punjab is the hope and food bowl of India
Sreemathi Ghosh, Under Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India said MoFPI will provide full support to the people of Punjab through its various schemes. She also invites State Government and Punjab Industrialist to participate in Mega Food Event 2023 from 3rd to 5th November, New Delhi, a global event to showcase connect and collaborate.
Dalip Sharma, Secretary General, Punjab Chamber of Commerce and Industry also supported this KCCI initiative and addressed the local aspects of the Food Processing and Agribusiness Sector. Rahul Mittal, Representative KCCI Punjab elaborated and highlighted the Vision of KCCI FOR Punjab and will soon start its operational wing for the development of the industries at large. He also highlighted the Ek Koshish initiative where the local players will be benefited. Through “EK KOSHISH“ which aims to identify the rare disappearing “Makeshifters“ referred as “Jugads“ specifically in rural aeras and then making them streamline after registering and patenting in a duration set duration of 18 months which will end in early 2024.
In Technical session Rajnish Tuli, General Manager, PAICL – PMFME, Government of Punjab briefly highlighted about the scheme and invited the entrepreneurs, self-help groups, gruh Udyog to enhance their businesses with the grants provided by MoFPI. Other speakers in the session were Chandra Shekhar Dudeja, Regional Head, APEDA, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, GoI highlighted the exports opportunities and schemes, Virinder Sharma, Director, MSME Development Institute, Ministry of MSME, GoI highlighted about the support available for MSMEs , Dhruv Sharma, Senior Investment Specialist- Agriculture and Food Processing, Invest India highlighted about the support available from the MoFPI at ground level and also about the different schemes and Opportunities, and market development available for these industries. Pradip Kumar, Chief Manager, NSIC highlighted the local aspects and schemes available for MSMEs , entrepreneurs and Start-ups, Timir Haran Rashmi Samad, Deputy General Manager, SIDBI highlighted the fund availability and eligibility for food processing sector.
State government appreciate the efforts of KCCI for organising this conferece which is need of an hour in this sector. Lastly Nakul Prakash Director KCCI thanked all the dignitaries and participants to support KCCI efforts and for making this event successful.
