Port Blair, Nov 09: Unnati organized a Food Processing training programme at Chouldari with the support of NABARD on 08-11-2022 in Mix Veg pickle, Prawn Pickle, Fish Pickle, Lemon Pickle, Hadjod Pickle, Bamboo Shoot Pickle, Coconut based products. On this occasion, Mrs. Pramila Kumari Adhyaksha Zilla Parishad was the Chief Guest. She appreciated the works of NABARD and Unnati for popularizing Food Processing and empowering women in these Islands. She further said that there is tremendous scope for promotion of coconut and marine based value added products, the technology which can be arranged with the help of Coconut Development Board Kochi and CFTRI. Administration may consider deputing trainees under any training program. She said if this sector is promoted and various concessions extended a large number of SHGs / women groups can adopt value-added Food Processing and thereby enhance their socio-economic conditions. She also assured various problems raised by the participants relating to Food Processing would be taken up with the Administration. President Unnati urged the trainees to take keen interest in the training and also try to participate in the Food Processing exhibitions which are being organized by the Administration for marketing support of their products. He further mentioned that concessions to Food Processing units as regard packing materials, preservatives and marketing supports etc., matter already taken up with concerned Departments. He further said as regards usage of Food Processing machines which could not be demonstrated due to non conduct of training at Unnati’s Food Processing Training Centre at Industrial Estate Dollygunj because of some disputes between Industry Department and Unnati regarding non-functioning of units during lockdown period. However, till the matter is resolved, the Industry Department would be requested to do the needful in the matter. He further said as desired by the trainees, the officials of the Industry Department, Food Safety Department and Pollution Control Board/ Committee also requested to deliver a talk on various issues relating to Food Processing. Mrs. TapasiSaha Pradhan Chouldari mentioned that after-supports to trainees needs to be ensured by the concerned Departments for setting-up Food Processing units, assured marketing support and early implementation of various decisions taken by the Administration for extending supports/ concessions by the Industry Department to enable the trainees to adopt Food Processing as self employment venture and also setting of units. She also expressed her gratitude to Adhyaksha Zilla Parishad, NABARD and Unnati for conducting Food Processing training in her Panchayat.