Odisha MSME Trade Fair 2019: Seminar on opportunities & challenges in food processing

Bhubaneswar: MSME International Trade Fair is being
conducted from 28.01.2019 to 03 01.2019. The Sessions on Food Processing
witnessed overwhelming participation from existing and prospective
Entrepreneurs, Industries Associations, Sectoral Exports, officials from Govt. of
India & State.
At the outset, Shri Pranabjoyti Nath, IAS, Director of Industries, Odisha extended
heartiest warm welcome to the dignitaries, participants, electronic & print Media
present in the august house. Besides, he also emphasized that session on food
processing has provided a platform to discuss on the opportunities, challenges,
value addition to the resources, regulatory issues, pollution related issues being
faced by the Sector and on the various Schemes, provisions and benefits
available for development of the food processing sector.
Dr. N.C. Saha, Director, Indian Institute of Packaging explained that food
processing and packaging are complimentary to each other. He added that
consumption of packaging is highest in India & China in comparison the rest of
the world with food processing contributing to 56% and thereby offers lot of
opportunities for investment. He described packaging as silent salesman which
also refers basically to shelf life, product specification & consumer satisfaction.
Dr. D.P.Guha, Consultant, FSSAI made deliberation on Food Safety & Standards
Act, 2006 and appraised house about its self-compliant nature. In his
comprehensive presentation, he elaborated on conditions of license & criteria
thereof including micro-biological testing of products. He enlightened on online
portal for applying FSSAI license and its disposal in time bound manner.
Sri Biranchi Narayan Mishra, President, OYEA put forth the problems faced by the
food processing industries. He said that as Food Processing Sector is looked after
by various Departments like Agriculture, Horticulture, MSME, etc. he suggested
that separate body may be constituted as Nodal Agency for the sector. Besides,
he suggested use of barren land for plantation of cashew, coconut, coffee, etc.,
government support for exposure international practices in food processing and
ensuring time bound clearances by ULBs.
Mr. Debidutta Biswal, Member Secretary, OSPCB highlighted on the requirement
of compliances under Air, Water, Environment Protection Act for Food Processing
Enterprises. He informed that industrial activities have been classified as Red,
Orange, Green and White basing on the intensity of pollution and White category
is exempted from consent management regime. OSPCB has integrated with Go-
SWIFT portal for issue of consent as a part of ease of doing business and also
has own online portal for clearances in time bound manner.
Dr. A. Raj, Senior Director, QCI made a vivid presentation on necessity of Zero
Defect Zero Effect (ZED) for MSMEs. He indicated that ZED is a holistic model for
development of manufacturing MSMEs for assessment based on 30 parameters
out of total 50 parameters including 20 parameters for rating as Bronze, Silver,
Gold, Diamond & Platinum. He also informed about the financial support
extended by Government of India and State Government for MSMEs. He also
informed that banks namely SBI & Yes Bank are extended credit at lower rates to
ZED rated MSMEs.
Sri Sangramjit Nayak, Director Municipal Administration informed that Trade
License is being issued online to minimise the physical contact of MSME with
Municipal Authorities and steps are being taken for its renewal online. Similarly,
water connection is being provided in 48 hours.
Dr. S.S. Dey, Managing Director, APICOL made a eloquent presentation on
resource potential & challenges of Food Processing Enterprises in Odisha. He
indicated that Odisha is presently a agri-surplus State with minimal processing
facilities because of challenges such as seasonal produce, credit & market
linkage. He also informed that State Government is coming up with policies on
Millet Processing & Organic Farming. He also invited agri-entrepreneurs to
submit online applications and avail incentives under Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog
Yojana.
At last Smt. Manasi Mandhata, Deputy Secretary to Government, MSME
Department extend complements to the dignitaries and participants and hoped
that deliberations made during the session will go a long way in promoting the
Food Processing Sector for sustainable, inclusive and balanced growth in the
state.

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