With an aim to strengthen the economic condition of farmers, the State Horticulture and Food Processing Minister Fauja Singh Sarari on Tuesday said that the Punjab Government was working on a roadmap to increase the income of the peasantry by encouraging food processing.
On his maiden visit to Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and Ladhowal Mega Food Park, the Cabinet Minister said that Bhagwant Mann-led government was committed to promote food processing in the state so that farmers of the state could be brought out from cycle of wheat-paddy by opting diversification.
He said that the government was working to set up more food processing units by imparting training to the farmers regarding processing of fruits and vegetables into jams, jellies, pickles, juices etc.Sarari said that the curriculum of agro-processing in the universities and colleges would also be upgraded further.
He asked the students of B.SC Agriculture to set up their own ventures in food processing sector after completing their studies and become self-employed. He said that it would not only create jobs for others but would also develop their entrepreneurial capabilities.
However for those seeking the jobs especially in government sector , the state government was also working to fill as well as vacant posts or create more posts.He also held a meeting with senior officials of Punjab Agricultural University and horticulture department at Sutton House in PAU.
Later, he took stock of Agro processing cluster, food incubation unit, post harvest technology unit and Ladhowal’s Mega Food park.Earlier upon his arrival in the district for the first time, he was also accorded guard of honour by Police Commissionerate Ludhiana at the PAU.
Prominent among present on the occasion included Additional Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, Additional Deputy Commissioner Amarjit Bains, Commissioner of Police Dr Kaustabh Sharma, besides several others.