Manipur Governor Dr Najma Heptulla was of the opinion that food processing should be a home-based industry.
Dr Heptulla made this he statement on Wednesday during the one-day conference on startups and MSMEs in food processing held at a hotel in Imphal, organized by ASSOCHAM in collaboration with ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Manipur Centre.
Exhorting all those involved in the sector to adopt value-addition technology, the Governor said one can take up food processing under the startup schemes of the Government.
The Governor further said that Manipur is home to many types of fruits, vegetables and other agro products that hold immense potential for food processing in the State including ample scope for export.
She encouraged sun-dried pineapple for domestic use and export as it will have longer shelf life without much investment and will also have value addition in terms of nutrition.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Chief Minister Yumnam Joykumar Singh said that biotechnology can aid in increased production of crops and fruits.
Pointing out the relevance of the conference topic, the minister also stressed the importance of crop rotation.
The conference was also attended by chairman of Manipur Rural Bank, Prasanna Kumar Bal, principal secretary of Department of Horticulture and Soil Conservation, J C Ramthanga and joint director of ICAR Research Complex for NEH, I Meghachandra.