Punjab News:We must not only produce but also know to market our products well : Gurmeet Singh Khuddian
Punjab News:We must not only produce but also know to market our products well : Gurmeet Singh Khuddian
Punjab Government gave huge boost to Self Help Groups: Tarunpreet Singh Sond
Punjab State Food Commission, Agriculture Department & PTPC hold seminar
Chairman Punjab State Food Commission Bal Mukand Sharma superannuates
With centralized focus on Food Processing MSMEs, Farmers Produce Organizations (FPO) and Self Help Groups (SHG), Cooperatives, Start Ups & Societies, the Punjab State Food Commission, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department & Punjab Trade Promotion Council today held a seminar comprising multiple sessions.
The Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Mr. Gurmeet Singh Khuddian said that we have fertile land as well as hardworking people. Hence we must not only produce but also know how to market our product across the country as well as at the global platforms. Punjab is making a mark in the entrepreneurship sector and it is the need of the hour to take the State forward.
The Chairman Punjab State Food Commission (PSFC) Mr. Bal Mukand Sharma said that we are in value addition age, so it is high time that we transform agriculture into Agri Business. He further added that over 5000 schools are witnessing installation of herbal gardens where vegetables are grown organically. We must now move from Food security to nutrition security.
The Chairperson PTPC Mrs. Kanchan Sharma while welcoming the entrepreneurs, pointed out that the PTPC works to build an institutional platform for trade, investment, and industrial growth while positioning Punjab as a global business hub.
On the occasion, Mr. N.S. Brar from PAGRO shared his success story about how he ventured into exporting good quality products to Japan and Mr. Arun Grover, Founder & Chairman Amartex also shared his entrepreneurial journey. International Chef Vikas Chawla emphasized the importance of Millet Food for better nutrition.
In the 2nd session on the Cooperatives, Start Ups, Societies and Self Help Groups, various speakers underscored the significance of promoting start ups and self help groups in Punjab. Besides, the precious contributed rendered by the Markfed in the success of the Cooperative movement in Punjab also came in for special praise.
The Rural Development and Panchayats, Tourism Minister Mr. Tarunpreet Singh Sond revealed that when the present State Government took over in March 2022 the number of Self Help Groups was 26000 but now after four years due to the pro-entrepreneurial policies of the State Government this number has swelled to 56000.
Notably, the Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in Punjab are small community-based associations—primarily formed by rural women—that pool small monthly savings (ranging from Rs. 50 to Rs. 200 per member) to build microcredit funds and start income-generating micro-enterprises.
Further, Mr. Tarunpreet Singh Sond lauded the exceptional contributions made by the Chairman Punjab State Food Commission Mr. Bal Mukand Sharma who retired today and said that Mr. Bal Mukand Sharma undertook path breaking initiatives during his tenure to increase the awareness about the importance of nutrition security.
On the occasion, a book chronicling the life journey of famous actor Late S. Jaswinder Singh Bhalla was also released by Mr. Sond who said that Jaswinder Bhalla was an outstanding human being and a par Excellence actor whose contributions to Punjabi films especially comedy genre can never be forgotten.
An entertaining artistic depiction of Mr. Bal Mukand Sharma’s life history and his special brotherly bond with Late S. Jaswinder Singh Bhalla was also presented.
The occasion also saw various entrepreneurs, FPOs and SHGs being felicitated.