Food processing industry minister Pashupati Kumar instated the office of the Capacity Enhancement Centre (CEC) at Patna for training entrepreneurs from the northeastern states interested in food processing activities. The minister also launched the “Makhana King” under the one district, one product (ODOP) programme, which is part of the PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFMFPE).
PM Modi is actively interested in the promotion of food processing activities in the country as well as in Bihar. Paras also said the Centre has decided to establish a food processing university in north Bihar and that CM Nitish Kumar should allot the required land for the purpose. Paras said he would personally discuss the matter with the CM.
Paras said land was available for the opening of yet another big campus of CEC at Hajipur. Initiatives would be taken at his level in consultation with the state government for its materialization. The CEC to be opened at Hajipur would provide training in food processing activities to entrepreneurs in north Bihar. The CEC office at Patna was established under the guidance of the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship Management (NIFTEM) based at Kundli, Sonepat. On the occasion, Union food processing industry joint secretary Minhaz Alam and NIFTEM (Kundli) vice-chancellor Dr. C. B. Devappa were present.
Elaborating on the Centre’s plan for Bihar, Paras said a survey would be conducted to open food processing units in every district as per the local need. He said mega food parks were functional in various parts of the country. The Centre has planned to open mini food parks and, accordingly, discussions in this regard will also be held with the state government. He said north Bihar had become famous for the production of makhana, bananas, maize, and other items based on which food processing units could be opened in the state to help the farmers. According to him, the work of the union agriculture department was to take steps to increase food grain production, and the food processing industry worked to ensure good returns to the farmers on their produce, besides creating employment opportunities.