Mysore :Revenue and District in-Charge Minister V. Sreenivasa Prasad yesterday gave a clarion call to the industrialists to focus on research before launching any product.
He was speaking after inaugurating an awareness programme on ‘Support Schemes for Food Processing Industries’ organised jointly by the National Mission of Food Processing, Govt. of India, District Agricultural Department, Horticulture Department, District Industries Centre (DIC), Mysore Industries Association (MIA) and Mysore District Micro Small & Medium Enterprises Association (MDMSMEA), at a private hotel in city.
Prasad said: “research should be the prime focus in the age of competition. Industries must think of offering quality products at an affordable price. This could become a possibility when industrialists study the market trend before designing the product.”
General Secretary of MDMSMEA Suresh Kumar Jain reminded the government of its demand to adopt Kerala model in the development of industries in the State.
Jain said, there was a Nodal Officer for industries at every Gram Panchayat level in Kerala. He also demanded Industrial Adalat, that was last held one decade ago, along with a round table meeting, be convened.
Briefing about the Central Government schemes for setting up food processing industries, Leelavathi, Advisor to National Food Conservation Cell, said that during the 9th, 10th and 11th Five Year Plan, the Central Government was directly implementing the schemes in food processing sector. The procedure was decentralised during the 12th Five Year Plan, and State Governments too were involved in implementing the schemes.
Saplings for guests: If all goes well, saplings may replace bouquets and garlands while greeting dignitaries during the forthcoming Dasara events. As a prelude to this, the dignitaries participating in the inaugural session of training programme on food processing industries here on Sunday, were offered medicinal saplings.
Referring to the initiative, Joint Director of Agriculture Mahanteshappa said this follows a proposal to the government from ZP President Dr. Pushpavathi Amarnath to use saplings, instead of flowers. Pushpavati is involved in spreading the green cause at the ZP too, greeting dignitaries with saplings.
