PSFC organizes seminar on prospects of Food Processing & Agriculture based industries
Associate Minister for Small Business, Ontario, Nina Tangri emphasizes knowledge, technology & investment beneficial for Punjab & Canada
Commission Chairman Bal Mukand Sharma advocates promotion of food processing sector
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
A significant seminar on the prospects of food processing and agriculture-based industries was organized at MGSIPA, Sector-26, Chandigarh under the leadership of Bal Mukand Sharma, Chairman, Punjab State Food Commissio The seminar was organized by the Punjab State Food Commission. Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Small Business from the Province of Ontario, Canada, and Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Cabinet Minister for Food Processing, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development, Punjab, attended the event as the chief guests.
Addressing the gathering, Nina Tangri appreciated the immense potential of Punjab in the fields of agriculture and food processing. She stated that cooperation between Punjab and Canada in agriculture, food processing, and technology can be further strengthened. She emphasized that the exchange of knowledge, technology, and investment would greatly benefit farmers and industries in both regions.
Speaking on the occasion, Khudian said that the Punjab Government is committed to promoting innovation, modern technology, and the food processing industry in the agricultural sector. He added that the expansion of food processing will not only increase farmers’ income but will also create new opportunities for taking Punjab’s agricultural products to global markets.
On this occasion, Chairman Bal Mukand Sharma welcomed all the dignitaries and said that promoting the food processing sector in Punjab is the need of the hour, as it will enhance value addition to agricultural produce and provide better economic returns to farmers.
During the seminar, several experts and representatives from different sectors and industries shared their views. N. S. Brar, Chairman, Pagro Frozen Foods, who was among the most prominent speakers, shared his inspiring entrepreneurial journey in the food processing sector. He spoke about his struggle and determination in building one of the most successful food processing ventures in Punjab. Highlighting Punjab’s strength in producing high-quality vegetables and fruits, he proudly shared that he started his journey by supplying 40 metric tonnes of frozen vegetables to McDonald’s, which has now grown to more than 10,000 metric tonnes of processed products. He also informed that his company today exports frozen food products to several international markets including Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Canada, and Singapore.
Dr. Narpinderpal Singh, Vice Chancellor, Graphic Era University, Dehradun, and former Head of Food Technology & Director Research at Guru Nanak Dev University, addressed the seminar through video conferencing and highlighted innovations in food technology and research.
Besides them, Mangal Singh Bassi, Chairman Agro, Arun Grover, Chairman Amar Tex Group, Pavitar Kaur, Consultant, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, Inderdeep Singh Cheema, Chairman East Wood Village, Captain Vikram Bajwa, Former CGM RBI, M. S. Aujla, Former Director Town Planning, and Jaswinder Singh, Principal Khalsa College, also shared their valuable views in the context of the seminar.
Vijay Dutt, Member, Punjab State Food Commission, who conducted the proceedings of the program, said that such seminars play an important role in giving a new direction to food processing and agriculture-based industries in Punjab while also strengthening international cooperation. At the end, Chetan Parkash Dhaliwal, Member, Punjab State Food Commission, presented the vote of thanks.
On this occasion, Kanu Thind, Member Secretary, Punjab State Food Commission, honoured Nina Tangri by presenting her with Punjab’s traditional Phulkari. Her husband Ashwani Tangri and Sudeep Singla were also specially present during the event.