A programme, 'Skill development training programme on value addition on fruits, vegetables and spices' was held at Nagaland Tool Room & Training Center (NTTC), Dimapur on 15th November 2021 with Agriculture Production Commissioner, Nagaland Y. Kikheto Sema, IAS as the special guest.
Speaking on the occasion, Sema stressed on postharvest management and encouraged the entrepreneurs and said that processing of food harvested should start from their own place. He stressed that the government employment has reached its saturation point, therefore the youths have to find and invest in other avenues. He urged the youths to take up those kind of activities which will provide sustainable income.
The APC also mentioned that farmers in the state still practice a traditional form of agriculture and there is a need to incorporate modern and emerging technologies in order to transform the agriculture sector of the state by adopting settled agriculture. He encouraged the people to go buy the food from Agri Expo and support the locals.
Chief Scientist, CSIR-CFTRI, Mysuru, Dr. Ng. Iboyaima Singh, the program coordinator, mentioned that as Nagaland has raw material and that there is a need to popularize processing and marketing of food produced in Nagaland.
Joint Director & HoD, MSME Development Institute, Dimapur, Taliwati Longchar mentioned that the people of Nagaland should converge and adapt to the new market trend and focus on good packaging of the goods.
Asst. Gen. Manager, APEDA, Guwahati, Sunita Rai Bharali stressed on the need to scale up production and target GI products such as Naga King chilli and Naga Cucumber and to focus on the branding different from others.
Principal NTTC, Dimapur, Petechtuo Miasalhou mentioned that the tool room has been set up so that the machinery can be kept in one place and the main objective is to develop and bloom up the industry.
The training program will held for five days from 15th 19th November 2021 and 30 trainees will be participating in the program.
(Sebu Lam, IA Dimapur)