Bhubaneswar: January 30: MSME International Trade Fair is being conducted from 28.01.2019 to 03 02.2019. The Sessions on Food Processing witnessed overwhelming participation from existing and prospective Entrepreneurs, Industries Associations, Sectorial Exports, officials from Govt. of India & State.
At the outset, 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 compliance 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 GoSWIFT 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 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.
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.
