Workshops should be organized for quality improvement, marketing and branding training to farmers: CM Chouhan
Sunday - January 23, 2022 10:18 pm ,
Category : BHOPAL
Farmers should themselves set up processing units of agricultural products
Incubation center will be set up under PM Micro Food Industry Upgradation Scheme
Madhya Pradesh is giving full cooperation in fulfilling PM Modi’s resolve of Atmanirbhar Bharat
Diversification of agriculture must to increase the income of farmers
Food processing units help in reducing migration of villagers to urban areas
Agriculture formed basis of financial economy during Covid period: Union Agriculture Minister Tomar
Incubation centres based on guava in Sehore, mustard and other oilseeds in Morena, and potato in Gwalior
CM Chouhan performs bhoomi-pujan of Incubation Centers of Gwalior, Morena and Sehore
Bhopal 23 January 2022: Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that Madhya Pradesh is number one in the production of orange, coriander and garlic in the country. The state ranks second in the country in the production of ginger, chilly, guava, peas and onions. If the farmers open small food processing units of this production, public will get pure material, youth will get employment opportunities and farmers will get the right price for their produce. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a historic step by initiating the PM Micro Food Industry Upgradation Scheme. In this scheme, the incubation centers of Gwalior, Morena and Sehore will definitely prove to be milestones. With the blessings of Prime Minister Modi, these coordinated steps will usher in a new revolution in promoting the food processing industry in Madhya Pradesh.
Chief Minister Chouhan was virtually addressing the bhoomi-pujan and foundation laying programme organized at Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Agricultural University, Gwalior for establishment of incubation centers in Agriculture College Gwalior, Krishi Vigyan Kendra Morena and Agriculture College, Sehore under PM Micro Food Industry Upgradation Scheme from the office at his residence. Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, State Agriculture Minister Kamal Patel, Minister of State for Horticulture Bharat Singh Kushwaha also participated virtually in the programme.
Chief Minister Chouhan said that there is a need to organize workshops in the state on the method of food processing. Workshops should be organized to inform farmers about quality improvement, packaging, marketing, branding of their produce and their processes. Under the PM Micro Food Industries Upgradation Scheme, a subsidy of up to Rs 10 lakh will be given to the farmers. 40 percent of the subsidy will be borne by the state government. In order to expand the food processing industry, the state government will provide subsidy of up to Rs 2.5 crore for setting up large units.
Chief Minister Chouhan said that in the last 15 years, the state has made unprecedented growth in the field of agriculture. After making many plans, we decided with effort that we will bring the state forward in the field of agriculture. As a result of this, the state has received Krishi Karman Award many times. Madhya Pradesh has set records in agricultural production. A record has been set by purchasing more than 43 lakh metric tonnes of paddy in the state. Today Madhya Pradesh produces more wheat than Punjab. Madhya Pradesh is providing continuous support in fulfilling Prime Minister 5 Modi’s resolve of Atmanirbhar Bharat, setting new records in the field of agriculture.
Chief Minister Chouhan said that agriculture is the backbone of the country’s economy. The state government is working towards fulfilling Prime Minister Modi's resolve to double the income of farmers by encouraging horticulture along with production of crops. Chief Minister Chouhan said that there is a need for diversification of agriculture to increase the income of the farmer. There is a need to boost cultivation of fruits, flowers, vegetables, medicines and agro-forestry. The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of happiness that the area under horticulture in the state has exceeded 15 lakh hectares. Fruits, vegetables, spices etc. are being cultivated on a large scale in the state. Having a system for processing these products will definitely increase the income of the farmers.
Chief Minister Chouhan said that about 25 lakh units are functioning in the unorganized food processing sector in the country. About 66 percent of these units are in rural areas and about 80 percent of the enterprises are family based. These ventures are helpful in enhancing rural household livelihoods and reducing migration of villagers to urban areas. Therefore, there is need for availability of modern technology, equipment for food processing at village level, training, availability of institutional credit, information regarding quality control of products and necessary training and value addition regarding packaging, branding and marketing of ingredients. There is a need to empower the youth by providing the right guidance.
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar congratulated Chief Minister Chouhan for making Madhya Pradesh a leading state in the country in agriculture production. Union Minister Tomar said that during the time of Covid when other economic activities had come to a standstill, at that time only agriculture provided the basis of the economy. The schemes run by the Government of India and the Government of Madhya Pradesh will definitely bring a change in the lives of the poor and farmers.
Agriculture Minister Kamal Patel said that with the establishment of Incubation Centers, farmers will get an opportunity to process their products which will definitely increase the income of the farmers. Minister of State for Horticulture Bharat Singh Kushwaha said that continuous work is going on to develop the state as a processing hub under the leadership of Chief Minister Chouhan. Member of Parliament Vivek Narayan Shejwalkar and Vice Chancellor of Agricultural University Gwalior Prof. SK Rao also addressed the programme.
Rs. 9 crore 87 lakh 85 thousand has been approved by the Government of India for the establishment of three incubation centers at Sehore, Morena and Gwalior. An incubation center is being set up at Sehore for the processing of guava, fruits and vegetables. Juice, Pulp, Jam, Jelly, Vegetable Dehydration Line and Onion Processing Line will be established in the center along with food processing laboratory.
Common incubation facility will be made available at Morena for processing mustard and other oilseeds, jowar, bajra, ragi and bakery products. Potato and potato processing line and millet based cookies line are being established in Gwalior.
It may be noted that the PM Micro Food Enterprises Upgradation Scheme has been launched in the Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign. The main objective of the scheme is to promote the development of small industries and activities under the ‘ Ek Zila Ek Utpad’ scheme. Horticulture crops like mango, potato, tomato etc. get spoiled very quickly. There is a special arrangement in the plan for their maintenance, processing, branding and marketing – Window to Nws
