IMPHAL, March 3: The Society for Agriculture, Food and Innovation (SAFI) and North Eastern Finance Development Corporation (NEDFI) jointly organized a one day workshop on food safety and regulations with the theme “Are we prepared for a safe food?” at Food Processing Training Hall, Porompat today.
Speaking on the occasion Durga Prasad Panda, Managing Director of Food Safety Training and Research Centre, Maharashtra said ” Food is one of the basic need that everybody has and without it, nobody can survive. The food needs to be improved in such a way that it improves the economy of Manipur. We should work on how we can do a commercial export of food.” He continued that the world is a global village and that Manipur should not lack behind. He pointed out, “There are lots of opportunity in aqua culturing and fishery as so much water is available here,” Durga Prasad Panda said. He continued that the four basic needs to be met regarding food are that it should be healthy, nutritious, and tasty and should not be carrier of diseases.
Chief guest of the function, Thamarjit Karam, MLA of Keirao Constituency said he used to knock on the doors of banks, organizations and various institutions when he started as an entrepreneur. Pointing out that Government Departments reject applications for loans that entrepreneurs send in saying that forms are incomplete, he said that it would be much more helpful if proper guidance could be given to applicants. He also exhorted entrepreneurs to use loan amounts properly and not to use the finances for building their homes or buy vehicles etc. Maintaining that there is no dearth of sincere and trustworthy entrepreneurs in the state, he alleged that instead of helping the needy, banks are diverting money to already wealthy people in the state.
Oinam Nabakishore, IAS, Principal Secretary, Commerce and Industry, Government of Manipur said food consciousness regarding food safety has increased. “There is a need to maintain a set standard in any production and for this, a standard operating procedure must be followed,” he said.
He expressed his misgiving over applicants misusing loaned amounts but added, “If one works sincerely and honestly, we would not hesitate to provide him financial aid.” He expressed his optimism that Manipur would become a leader in food industry if the required financial aid has been provided.
Over 100 entreprenuers took part in the one day program.