Immense potential for export of agriculture and minor forest produce in Chhattisgarh: Minister Lakhma.
Government to provide land for the establishment of food processing unit in Bastar.
The Minister of Industries and Commerce, Kawasi Lakhma was addressing the Innovation, Startup and Entrepreneurship workshop organized under the five-day International Agriculture Madai Agri Carnival 2022 at Indira Gandhi Agricultural University as the chief guest,In his adress he said that there is a immense potential for the export of agricultural and minor forest produce based products from Chhattisgarh .
He further said that crops like Mahua, Tora, Mango, Tamarind, Chironji, Sitaphal, Cashew etc. are produced in abundance in Bastar and other forest areas, which should be processed and promoted for their export.
Minister Lakhma called upon the entrepreneurs present there to set up food processing units in Bastar region,he further said that the state government will allot land to the entrepreneurs who want to set up such units in Bastar. Dr. Girish Chandel, Vice Chancellor, Indira Gandhi Agricultural University presided over the program. On this occasion ,Assistant Director General of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi Dr. K.Srinivasan, President of Confederation of Indian Industry Umesh Chitlangia, Chief General Manager of NABARD Mrs. Suparna Tandon were present as special guests.
During the launch ceremony, Indira Gandhi an MoU was signed between Agricultural University, Raipur and IIT Kanpur and IIM Kolkata to promote entrepreneurship developmen .
On this occasion, three publications namely tatva 4.0, Priyan 4.0, Drishyam 1.0, published by Rural Agri Business Incubation (RABI) of Agricultural University were also released.
In the beginning of the program, Dr. Girish Chandel, Vice Chancellor of Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, while delivering the welcome address, said that under the Rabi Raftaar scheme to promote entrepreneurship development by Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, training and guidance is being provided to the youth for setting up startups and new enterprises.
He informed that , food products are being prepared in the state by processing Mahua, Mushroom, Chironji etc. through Farmer Producer Groups and Women Producer Groups and these products are being made available in the market. He also stressed on providing market linkage to Self Help Groups.
In the program, Chief General Manager, NABARD, Chhattisgarh, Suparna Tandon said that there are 86 percent small and marginal farmers in the country, who need to be connected with innovation.
She said that there are 6 thousand farmer producer companies in India who have got experience of working with ICRISAT in the field of Agri Incubation and Agri Incubator has helped about three lakh people.
She wished the budding startups good luck and expressed her hope that soon the Agri Startups of Chhattisgarh would get the status of a Unicon company.
President of Confederation of Indian Industry Shri Umesh Chitlangia said that the progress of entrepreneurship in Chhattisgarh is spreading across the country. While praising the state government public welfare schemes Narva, Garuva, Ghurva, Bari,he said that the Chhattisgarh government is purchasing cow dung and cow urine, which will encourage organic farming in the state.
Assistant Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi Dr. K. Srinivasan said that the Rabi Raftaar scheme is being run by the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, under which 50 incubator centers are functioning currently, these incubator centers are promoting entrepreneurship development in the country.
Innovative entrepreneurs of successful startups shared their success stories with budding entrepreneurs during the Innovation, Startup and Entrepreneurship workshop. In the group discussion, the challenges and opportunities of innovation, promotion, startup and entrepreneurship development were discussed.
Similarly, the possibilities of startup eco-system-incubator-industry were also discussed.
During the workshop, information about the necessary procedures for setting up new startups, financial assistance, market availability and legal help was also given to the budding entrepreneurs.
On this occasion the Registrar, Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Shri G.K. Nirmaam, Director Research Dr. Vivek Tripathi, Director Extension Services Dr. Ajay Verma, Dean of Agricultural Engineering College, Dr. Vinay Pandey, Director Farms and Seeds Dr. S.S. Tuteja, Heads of various departments, professors, scientists, students and a large number of entrepreneurs were present.
At the end of the program, Chief Executive Officer of Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Rabi Raftaar, Dr. Hulas Pathak expressed his gratitude towards the guests.