The Directorate of Food Processing, in collaboration with the District Horticulture Office and Tura College of Community Science, organized an interactive programme with ‘nano jackfruit entrepreneurs’ to kick-start Mission Jackfruit, here today, with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma the chief guest.
Speaking on the occasion, the CM said that with jackfruit grown abundantly in the state, the jackfruit mission was launched in 2018 with a view to create livelihoods, value chains, etc. The mission will be a game-changer as the demand for jackfruit products in the international market are very high, he informed.
Lauding the efforts of the entrepreneurs, the Chief Minister also said that the state government will provide help to the nano entrepreneurs to take the mission forward, thereby bringing the benefits of jackfruit to the people and informed that packaging units with international standard will be established soon in the state to cater to the needs of the producers.
Further, Sangma also said that Rs 5,000 per farmer is being provided under the Chief Minister’s Farmers Producers Group as seed money and Rs 5 crore has been sanctioned to take this project forward. He also informed that the government is playing a proactive role to create market links with neighbouring Bangladesh, Arab countries, etc.
West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh, while speaking as the guest of honour, highlighted the nutritional value of jackfruit and said that streamlining of jackfruit processing will be achieved.
During the interactive session, the chief minister awarded certificates to 13 shortlisted entrepreneurs.
