DDC chairs meeting on PM FME; Directs for augmenting Value Addition of Food Items

Anantnag: The District Development Commissioner (DDC) Anantnag, Anshul Garg today chaired a meeting of District Level Committee under Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM FME) scheme, here.

The meeting was informed about the potential of the district with respect to processing and value addition of food items.

During the meeting threadbare discussions were held on prospects of processing the edible produce in agriculture, Horticulture, fisheries and other sectors. The Committee also suggested co-opting experts from Fisheries Science & Food Technology specialists.

The DDC said that the biggest objective of the scheme is to double the farmers income by enhancing the value of the products. This can be done by increasing production on one side and diversifying the demand for additional produce by value addition & processing on other hand, he added.

He also stressed on splitting the supply among lean seasons and tapping the local as well as outside demand fully.

Garg directed AD Fisheries to work out a comprehensive and sustainable plan for establishment of Trout Feed Mill, Fish Packaging Material Unit, Cold chain facilities and Fish Canning units in the district. He advised for orientation and demonstration sessions and proper handholding of the prospective investors in this regard.

The DDC also directed diversification of sale points of fish across the district besides full integration of Fish processing with One District One Product (ODOP) programme.

The meeting was attended by FM DIC, CAO, CHO, AD Fisheries, BDO Pahalgam, AD Planning, LDM, DDM NABARD and other members of the DLC.