I&A Meet on Food Processing by WTC Bhubaneswar

BHUBANESWAR, INDIA - WTC Bhubaneswar, in association with National Small Industries Corporation and Centre for Agri Management, Department of Business Administration, Utkal University organized an “Industry Academia Meet” on the Opportunities & Challenges of Food Processing Sector in Odisha.

While inaugurating the meet Shri L.N. Gupta, Principal Secretary, Department of MSMEs, Government of Odisha deliberated on the Food Processing Policy 2016 of the State which provides for various subsidies and incentives for the benefit of the entrepreneurs. He advocated that it is the skilled human resource which has to come forward to reap the benefits of this particular sector which has immense potential. 

“Value addition of agricultural products is yet to reach a milestone” he added. Considering the existing potentials he referred to the various clusters which are pertinently rich in products such as Cashew, rice, maze, Spices etc. 

“Horticulture products are in surplus and the requirement is to tap it and take it forward into processing” he said. While discussing on various food park schemes of the State he advised that the academia should prepare itself to meet the manpower needs of the sector by offering specialized degree and diploma courses on food processing. 

Mr. Sree Prakash, DGM, NSIC while delivering his address highlighted various schemes available to the entrepreneurs through NSIC.

Eminent speakers from the food processing industry including Mr.Sandeep Agarwal, Managing Director, Agarwal Spices & Food Processors Pvt. Ltd, Mr. A.K. Sharda, MD, S.S. Foods Pvt. Ltd, Mr. Jaynarayan Puja Panda, Founder, Paris Bakery, Mr. Anil Burman, Sourcing Head of Milk Mantra graced the occasion and shared their success stories with a view to motivate the participants towards exploring the opportunities in the food processing sector. 

Shri. M. Soren, General Manager, NABARD, Bhubaneswar was also present on the occasion to share the various schemes of NABARD. Mr.Jatindra Mishra, Course Head, Centre for Agri Management, Utkal University in his opening remarks talked about the significance of the meet and emphasized on the need for bridging the skill gap for its further growth and development. 

Earlier in her welcome address Ms. Nimeshika Natarajan, Manager World Trade Centre Bhubaneswar elaborated the role of WTC in the development of the local entrepreneurial and industrial feternity of the State. She further emphasized that the Centre endeavors to uplift the economic portfolio of the State and intends to work towards development of the key and potential sectors of the geography. 

“With the growth of Food Processing Industries in the State there stands an essential need to simultaneously develop the skilled human resource to substantially serve this industry” she added.

In Photo L to R: Mr.Budhadev Bhanjo, Manager, WTC, Ms. Nimeshika Natarajan, Manager, WTC, Mr.Jatindra Mishra, Course Head, Centre for Agri Management, Department of Business Administration, Utkal University, Shri. SreePrakash, DGM, NSIC, Shri L.N. Gupta, Principal Secretary, Department of MSMEs, Government of Odisha, Shri. SandeepAgarwal, Managing Director, Agarwal Spices & Food Processors Pvt. Ltd., Shri.Jaynarayan Pujapanda, Founder, Paris Bakery,Shri. A.K. Sharda, Managing Director, Shiree Sampanna Foods Pvt. Ltd.

To learn more about WTC Bhubaneswar, please click on the source link below.