Jammu: A virtual conference was organized by Counselling and Placement Cell of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology(SKUAST)- Jammu and Horticulture Department Samba to disseminate information among SKUAST Jammu students and pass outs about the Centre Government schemes for promotion of Agri-enterprises.
Assistant Grading and Marketing Officer, Department of Horticulture (P&M) Samba, Anuj Kumar Verma gave a brief introduction of Prime Minister Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme under Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. He also apprised the agri-technocrats about the features of Agriculture Infrastructure Fund.
AMO, Kulgam, Mukhtar Khan, interacted with the agriculture technocrats and cleared their doubts with regard to Direct Marketing, Agricultural Infrastructure schemes and other related issues. He stressed that Food Processing and value addition is very necessary to minimise Post Harvest Losses which amount between 25-30 per cent.
Sunil Kumar Bakshi gave a brief note about scope of setting up food processing units as well as cold chain and setting up of integrated post harvest management centres in Ramban district which is coming up as a big Horticulture /Epiculture belt.
Master Trainer for FME-ODOP Scheme in J&K, Dr. Draksha Majid Andrabi, elaborated on the methods for processing of different varieties of horticulture produce and fruits. She also explained that shortly the master trainers for PMFME ODOP shall provide training to two trainers in each district i.e., one for EDP and one for processing techniques.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Harun Rashid Nayak exhorted agricultural technocrats to come forward and take benefits of recently launched schemes for setting food processing units as well as strengthening the cold / value chain of local produce. He added that they need to shirk away from miniscule jobs in government or private sector and opt for starting their own enterprises in the agriculture sector to earn money from this ever growing industry and also to generate employment.
The programme was coordinated by Prof. Sanjay Guleria, Incharge Conselling and Placement Cell, SKUAST-Jammu.
