In a big leap aimed at the marketing of its products the Markfed today opened its first outlet outside North India at Vadodara. The 'Health Food Kiosk' was formally inaugurated at GSFC University campus in Vadodara by the Cooperation Minister, Punjab, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa. The kiosk would make available more than 90 of the products manufactured by Markfed for domestic use.The inauguration was done by the Cooperation Minister in the presence of the Chairman Markfed Amarjit Singh Samra, MLA Harpartap Singh Ajnala, Additional Chief Secretary Cooperation Department, Punjab D.P. Reddy, M.D. Markfed Varun Roojam and Managing Director G.S.F.C. Sujit Gulati and a large number of Punjabi community living in Vadodara.In his address, Randhawa said that it is indeed a matter of great pride for Markfed that its products would also reach the other parts of the country now with the beginning having been made through the opening of first health food kiosk outside North India. He also said that the Markfed manufactured products are a great hit in foreign countries also.S. Randhawa termed the opening of this kiosk as a milestone achieved by the Markfed having National level significance.
He said that there is good deal of demand throughout the country for the ready to eat products and the commencing of services by this kiosk would be a major shot in the arm for Markfed thus strengthening the cooperative sector. Divulging more, he said that it is a moment of immense elation of Punjabi community members numbering 20000 living in Vadodara that the Gujarati people would also have a taste of the Punjabi food.He said that out of the 90 products of Markfed honey, basmati rice, saag, dal makhni, karri pakora, porridge, pickles, jelly, ketchup, jam and Cane Sugar (Shakkar) are very popular among the people.Adding more, the minister said that GSFC is a big and reputed name in the field of fertilizers from whom Punjab makes the purchase of fertilizers. He expressed strong hope that the collaboration of Markfed and GSFC would usher in an era of prosperity for the farming sector because cooperative sphere forms the backbone of the farming sector. Adding more, he said that apart from this, the providing of fertilizers such as NPK (Nitrogen Phosphorous Potash) by the Gujarat State Fertilizers and Chemicals to the farmers of Punjab has resulted in the reduction of the usage of DAP which has lead to the decrease in expenditure incurred by the farmers thereby contributing towards soil fertility. Batting for reducing the expenditure in agricultural sector in order to enable the farmers to have a breather, S. Randhawa also rooted for the appropriate marketing of the products manufactured through the allied occupations of the agriculture.
He said that the strong bond forged today between Punjab & Gujarat would prove to be extremely beneficial for both the institutions as well as the farmers of both the states.On the occasion the CEO GATL (Gujarat Agrotech) S.K. Mishra and Additional Managing Director Markfed Mr. Bal Mukand Sharma signed agreement of mutual cooperation as per which GATL would market the Markfed products which in turn would market the GATL manufactured products at its outlets.Earlier, an interactive session of the delegation led by S. Randhawa was conducted with the students of the GSFC University. During the course of the session, a brief documentary was also shown depicting the journey of the Markfed from its inception in 1954 till now. Information was also provided with regard to the famous products of the Markfed as well as those ordered online from the 'Amazon', 'Bigbasket' and 'Sohna' app of the Markfed. The students of the university displayed great enthusiasm put many interesting queries to the Cooperation Minister who made aware about the cooperative movement in a detailed manner.
The minister said that the main aim of the Cooperation Department is to work for the welfare and betterment of the farmers as well as the farm labourers.On the occasion, the Managing Director of the GSFC Mr. Sujit Gulati welcomed the opening of health food kiosk of the Markfed in Gujarat and assured full cooperation in this regard. He said that this partnership in the cooperation sector is a unique one and would would immensely benefit the people of both the states. Afterwards, the MLA Mr. Harpartap Singh Ajnala congratulated both the Markfed and GSFC and lauded the keen enthusiasm exhibited by the university students and said that considering the keenness shown by the science students towards the farmers' future it can be said that the interests of the farming sector are in safe hands.Among others present on the occasion included MD Amul Mr R. S. Sodhi, Additional Managing Director Markfed Mr. Bal Mukand Sharma, Officer on Special Duty (Fertilizers) Mr. Gagan Walia, Senior Marketing Manager Mr. Mandeep Singh Brar and Executive Director of GSFC Mr. V.D. Nanavati and Mr. S.V. Yadav.