ZIRO, 17 Nov: A three-day workshop on ‘Export Procedures & Documentation and Packaging of Agri- Horti Products (spices, kiwi and orange)’ was inaugurated by Minister for Agriculture, Horticulture, Fisheries and Dairy Development, Tage Taki here in Lower Subansiri district on Wednesday.
The department of Industries & Commerce, GoI sponsored workshop was organized by the department of Trade and Commerce, GoAP in collaboration with Indian Institute of Packaging, Kolkata and was participated by the farmers and entrepreneurs from Kurung Kumey, Kamle, Kra Daadi and Lower Subansiri districts.
In his inaugural address, the minister stated that agriculture and horticulture activities have picked up momentum in the past few years due to the pro agriculture and horticulture policies adopted by the state government, coupled with a consciousness amongst the youths to take up agricultural entrepreneurship as livelihood.
He further exhorted the participants to seize the opportunity and learn about the right packaging and preservation techniques for their products.
Lauding the efforts of the department of Trade and Commerce, GoAP and the Indian Institute of Packaging for conducting the workshop at Ziro, the minister further advised the resource persons to emphasize on preservation and packaging techniques of the products.
“Since a majority of the farmers are marginal ones, setting up big food based industries at this juncture will serve no purpose. What is required is encouragement for small scale units in packaging and preservation of the products,” he added.
He also appealed to the cardamom growers of the district to provide the agriculture and horticulture departments with the details of the production per year to enable the department to initiate government interventions for value addition.
Indian Institute of Packaging, Kolkata Deputy Director & branch head, Bidhan Das spoke on the importance of branding a product.
Deputy Commissioner Somcha Lowang also spoke. (DIPRO)
