Landlocked Tripura has considerable potential in terms of developing its fruit processing industry since the agro-climatic condition is favorable for horticulture. Manik Sarkar, Tripura Chief Minister said.
Addressing a day-long conference on linking prospective food entrepreneurs with government schemes and the market, which was organised by ASSOCHAM in collaboration with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Sarkar highlighted the food processing sector in the region and urged those involved with the sector to utilise the vast potential of raw horticultural produce through various financial assistance schemes and agencies like MSME, NHB, APEDA, NABARD, QCI, NHM, NERAMAC, public and private sector banks and other financial institutions.
He added that in spite of the state being small in size, it is well known and among the top India fruit producing state, and especially in pineapple production it is globally renowned for producing the best quality with huge scope of development by value addition.
“We are fifth in pineapple production, in Litchi, we are seventh, fifth in groundnut production, I am not sure what our position in jack fruit production is, but I believe we should be within fifth position, but no one thinks about them,” Sarkar said. “This is the position of fruit production in our state. Besides, we do not have to bring vegetable from outside except those which do not grow here. There are two or three vegetables which we produce in excess and send them outside,” The Chief Minister said.
He said there is need for supporting the youth of Tripura in nurturing their entrepreneurship skills. He said that through financial assistance schemes, start-ups, budding entrepreneurs and the food processing sector could be promoted aggressively. Sarkar highlighted the growth of agriculture and the processed food sector in the North-East region while comparing it with the overall growth of the economy of Tripura. He said that focus for development should be on food processing which is one of the major sectors with unexplored scope to strengthen the economy of Tripura.
Source: Business Standard
