PATHARGAON, 18 May: Members of self-help groups and farmer-producer organisations (FPO), along with rural entrepreneurs participated in acapacity-building programme on packaging, labelling, FSSAI licencing, and other regulatory compliances, organised by the Namsai Organic Spices and Agricultural Products Producer Co Ltd (NOSAAP) at Pathargaon village in Namsai district on Sunday.
The programme, which was conducted with support from the NABARD, aimed to enhance the capabilities of the participants in value addition and branding, and to help them understand market readiness of local produce.
The technical sessions were led by NOSAAP CEO Chau Athina Chauhai, who delivered a detailed presentation on various aspects crucial for small-scale food businesses. He covered topics such as the importance of scientific and sustainable packaging, shelf-life enhancement, and making products more appealing to consumers. The participants were also guided through essential food labelling requirements, including the declaration of ingredients, nutritional information, expiry dates, and allergen content, in accordance with FSSAI norms.
Additionally, FSSAI registration and licencing process was explained in detail, with emphasis on documentation, compliance, and online application procedures. The training also touched upon the relevance of legal metrology rules and product pricing strategies to help the participants navigate the market effectively.
NABARD District Development AGM Kamal Royspoke about the vital role of proper packaging and labelling in ensuring consumer trust and expanding market reach. He stressed that “compliance with regulatory standards is not merely a legal requirement but also a strategic tool for product promotion.”
He further briefed the participants on the various subsidy-linked government schemes and the credit support system available through banks, encouraging rural entrepreneurs to utilise these avenues for scaling up their businesses.
The training programme was interactive, with hands-on demonstrations and a Q&A session that allowed the participants to engage deeply with the subject matter specialists.
“The session proved highly beneficial in empowering SHG members, rural entrepreneurs, and FPO representatives with the knowledge and confidence to brand, package, and market their products more effectively and responsibly,” the NABARD informed in a release.
