Srinagar: Division of Agriculture Extension & Communication, Faculty of Agriculture Wadura, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir organized one-day awareness programme on “Strengthening entrepreneurship & management of startup in fruits and vegetables processing, preservation and canning” in collaboration with Govt Degree College Pattan at Fruit and Vegetable Preservation Utilization Extension Center Sopore sponsored by Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME)
The objective of this awareness programme was to enable and mobilize students/ participants to incubate ideas and motivate them about the importance of startup in fruits and vegetables processing, preservation and canning. During this awareness programme, the participants were trained to prepare, preserve and store jam by using appropriate machines such as slicer, pulper, jam steam cooking, fruit jam processing and canning.
The programme was attended by Mr. Rajendra Kumar, (Chief Horticulture Officer, Baramulla), Mr. R.P. Singh (District Horticulture Officer, Baramulla), Mr. Altaf Hussain Kachroo (Manager-cum-Chemist, Fruit and Vegetable Preservation, Utilisation and Extension Centre, Sopore), Dr. Tabassum Nazir Qadri (H.O.D. Botany, Govt. Degree College, Pattan), Dr. Snober Hamid (Lecturer, Govt. Degree College, Pattan), Mr. Nazir Ahmad (M.D. Healthy Foods Pvt. Ltd.) and students from the Faculty of Agriculture and Govt Degree College, Pattan.
Dr. Quadri Javeed Ah. Peer, Assistant Professor & Coordinator of the programme welcomed guests and trainees, and stressed the role and importance of startup in fruits and vegetables processing. Mr. Altaf Hussain Kachroo enlightened the participants about the various techniques of post-harvest management resulting in reduction of post-harvest losses on one hand and simultaneously generating employment for the youth on the other hand.
In the event, Mr. Nazir Ahmad, a young entrepreneur also shared his journey and experience of establishing his startup and motivated the participants about the bright future in this sector. The participants witnessed the practical demonstration of Jam preparation under the supervision of Practical Demonstrator, Ms. Mehmooda Ji.
Finally, Mr. Rajendra Kumar informed the participants about the help that the department of horticulture renders to the budding entrepreneurs who are interested in starting their own unit in form of one week, one month and six-month certificate training courses and Mr. R.P. Singh also mentioned some important schemes by virtue of which the entrepreneurs can avail subsidy for various inputs, including machinery. At last, Dr. Tabassum Nazir Qadri gave the concluding remarks and presented the vote of thanks.
SKUAST-K organizes awareness prog on startup in fruits and vegetables processing preservation and canning
