Agriculture sector in India has undergone significant structural changes in the form of decrease in share of GDP from 30 percent in 1990-91 to 17.4 percent in 2013 indicating a fruit processing shift from the traditional agrarian economy towards a service dominated one, but more than half of the total workforce (about 52 %) is still employed by the agriculture.
These days, we continuously observe that there is an urgent need for awareness amongst the farmers about the latest practices in farming and crop protection. There is a need for investment in storage facilities easily accessible to farmers. local products need to be promoted within India and abroad to create more demand” said Dr Neeraj Anand while addressing in a conference title Agro Supply chain conference (ASCC_2014), organized by University of Petroleum & Energy studies (UPES) in its campus on Friday.
Chief guest Vijay Sardana, Co-chairman, Agri Business Committee, PHDCCI stressed on the fact that the main reason for rise in the price of vegetables, fruits and other agro products is the huge gap which currently exists in management of the supply chain in India.
Dr BS Negi, Mission Director, National Horticulture Mission, informed the audience on various steps taken by the Uttarakhand government including the state governments focus on promoting the food processing industry in the state. To promote the spice sector the state government will shortly establish three mini spice parks at three different locations in Uttarakhand.t these will cater to the entire value chain of this sector.
Arun Dhand, Director – Media Affairs(UPES) disclosed that conference is being supported by institutions like NABARD and National Horticulture Mission was very well received across the country and participants were from many states including Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Orissa, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu & Uttar Pradesh.
Speaking at the valedictory function, the chief guest Anil Taneja, resident Director of PHDCCI Uttarakhand chapter informed the audience on various activities which the Uttarakhand which PHDCCI chapter has undertaken to promote and assist the food processing industry in the state of Uttarakhand.
Present on this occasion were Dr S. J. Chopra, chancellor of UPES, Dr Rajesh Tripathi, Assistant professor , deptt of strategic management, faculty and students of UPES.