(From right), NRB chairman Sashi Pongener, CIH director, Dr. Akali Sema, APC and principal secretary, Nagaland, HK Khulu, deputy director, IIP Kolkata, Bidhan Das and YLD Society director, Sashank Ghatraj, at the workshop on packaging of processed fruits, at Hotel Saramati, Dimapur, Friday. (Morung Photo)
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 18 (MExN): Nagaland Agriculture Production Commissioner (APC) and Principal Secretary (Agriculture), HK Khulu, has said that though 68% of the state’s workforce is engaged in agriculture, the state has not been able to make a dent even in the domestic market, let alone outside markets.
“Eighty percent of our population is also dependent on agriculture and though our (agriculture) contribution to the state GDP is 24%, higher than the national average of 17 %, yet we hardly see any of our food products outside Nagaland, say in Kolkata or Delhi,” the APC said.
Government trying to promote ‘cluster approach’
The APC was addressing the inaugural function of the one-day workshop on ‘packaging of processed fruits’ for micro, small and medium entrepreneurs, held at Hotel Saramati, on Friday.
The workshop was organized by the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), Kolkata, and sponsored by Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) and supported by North East Regional Agriculture Marketing Corporation Ltd. (NERAMAC).
He also said that though the state produces the best pineapples, bananas, passion fruits, papayas and oranges and some of these fruits in surplus, the wastage would account more than 40% of the total produce.
According to Khulu, the main reasons for Naga food produce to take off were due to lack of packaging and marketing expertise, resulting in wastage.
The APC said the state government was trying to promote ‘cluster approach’ to enhance fruit production besides setting up marketing sheds, collection centres and cold storages to facilitate transportation and marketing.
On fruit processing and packaging, he said entrepreneurs and private players also need to come forward.
Stating that there were plenty of schemes and loans for genuine entrepreneurs and farmers, Khulu further disclosed that the annual credit plans of banks for agri sector has been upped to Rs. 209 crores this year.
Director, Central Institute of Horticulture (CIH) Dr. Akali Sema, the guest of honour, said that India, which produces around 300 million MT of food products every year, is the second largest producer of food after China.
“However, around 30-35 % of food products valued at Rs. 300 billons go waste each year due to lack of postharvest facilities and the absence of linkages to the processors and markets,” she said.
Stressing on the importance of packaging, Akali said that packaging forms an integral element of marketing of produce as it provides an essential link between the producers/processors and the consumers.
She also said that proper packaging protects the products, enhances shelf life of produce, maintains quality thus preventing wastage and attracts or motivates customers to buy.
“Packaging is also considered as a ‘silent salesman’ as it provides all necessary information about the product and attracts the customers. It establishes an identity of the product in the market that enhances ‘brand loyalty’,” She added.
The CIH director hoped that the workshop will impart the best of technologies and useful information on the latest trend in packaging to the participants.
Chairman, Nagaland Rural Bank (NRB), Sashi Pongener, who also addressed the workshop, said that the five keys to success for any entrepreneur are product, pricing, channeling, promotion and packaging. Urging the entrepreneurs to be masters in their respective field, he also assured that NRB was willing to extend financial assistance as well as guidance to entrepreneurs.
Earlier, zonal manager, NERAMAC, Inamul Hussain Saikia, welcomed the gathering, director of YLD Society, Sashank Ghatraj, delivered the key note address and, deputy director, IIP, Bidhan Das, proposed vote of thanks.
Resource persons and topics in the second session included Bidhan Das of IIPs (Basic concepts of packaging for processed fruits), B. Ramanathan of Tinplate Company India Ltd. (Metal containers for packaging of processed fruits), Saurabh Bagal of Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd. (Plastics for packaging of processed fruits) and Sanjeev Kumar Jha of DS Group, Guwahati (Flexible packaging for packaging of processed fruits.)
“Eighty percent of our population is also dependent on agriculture and though our (agriculture) contribution to the state GDP is 24%, higher than the national average of 17 %, yet we hardly see any of our food products outside Nagaland, say in Kolkata or Delhi,” the APC said.
Government trying to promote ‘cluster approach’
The APC was addressing the inaugural function of the one-day workshop on ‘packaging of processed fruits’ for micro, small and medium entrepreneurs, held at Hotel Saramati, on Friday.
The workshop was organized by the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), Kolkata, and sponsored by Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) and supported by North East Regional Agriculture Marketing Corporation Ltd. (NERAMAC).
He also said that though the state produces the best pineapples, bananas, passion fruits, papayas and oranges and some of these fruits in surplus, the wastage would account more than 40% of the total produce.
According to Khulu, the main reasons for Naga food produce to take off were due to lack of packaging and marketing expertise, resulting in wastage.
The APC said the state government was trying to promote ‘cluster approach’ to enhance fruit production besides setting up marketing sheds, collection centres and cold storages to facilitate transportation and marketing.
On fruit processing and packaging, he said entrepreneurs and private players also need to come forward.
Stating that there were plenty of schemes and loans for genuine entrepreneurs and farmers, Khulu further disclosed that the annual credit plans of banks for agri sector has been upped to Rs. 209 crores this year.
Director, Central Institute of Horticulture (CIH) Dr. Akali Sema, the guest of honour, said that India, which produces around 300 million MT of food products every year, is the second largest producer of food after China.
“However, around 30-35 % of food products valued at Rs. 300 billons go waste each year due to lack of postharvest facilities and the absence of linkages to the processors and markets,” she said.
Stressing on the importance of packaging, Akali said that packaging forms an integral element of marketing of produce as it provides an essential link between the producers/processors and the consumers.
She also said that proper packaging protects the products, enhances shelf life of produce, maintains quality thus preventing wastage and attracts or motivates customers to buy.
“Packaging is also considered as a ‘silent salesman’ as it provides all necessary information about the product and attracts the customers. It establishes an identity of the product in the market that enhances ‘brand loyalty’,” She added.
The CIH director hoped that the workshop will impart the best of technologies and useful information on the latest trend in packaging to the participants.
Chairman, Nagaland Rural Bank (NRB), Sashi Pongener, who also addressed the workshop, said that the five keys to success for any entrepreneur are product, pricing, channeling, promotion and packaging. Urging the entrepreneurs to be masters in their respective field, he also assured that NRB was willing to extend financial assistance as well as guidance to entrepreneurs.
Earlier, zonal manager, NERAMAC, Inamul Hussain Saikia, welcomed the gathering, director of YLD Society, Sashank Ghatraj, delivered the key note address and, deputy director, IIP, Bidhan Das, proposed vote of thanks.
Resource persons and topics in the second session included Bidhan Das of IIPs (Basic concepts of packaging for processed fruits), B. Ramanathan of Tinplate Company India Ltd. (Metal containers for packaging of processed fruits), Saurabh Bagal of Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd. (Plastics for packaging of processed fruits) and Sanjeev Kumar Jha of DS Group, Guwahati (Flexible packaging for packaging of processed fruits.)
