Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) in

Food Processing

The Institute for Integrated Rural Development (IIRD) Shimla had successful organized the

Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP) in Food processing for a cluster of young and

fervent participants at Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. It covers the training programme details

undertaken for Entrepreneurship Development in Food Processing. This programme is linked with

the EDP programmes of the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and

Management (NIFTEM) established in Sonepat, Haryana. The primary objectives of the

Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) in Food Processing were adequate knowledge to

initiate a venture in Food Processing, equip the participants with essential skills, information and

abilities, incorporation of latest technology and cater to the need of required manpower in the

business and ensure sustainable employment opportunities.

The entire Programme was conducted in a 5 day workshop with each day to offer something new.

Day 1 dealt with defining of objectives, imparting of various lectures on entrepreneurship and

taking up of successful case studies related to food processing enterprise. Day 2 was majorly

concerned with planning for small scale food processing industries, prerequisites for starting

projects of EDP, role of different Financial Institutes in setting up the same and with whom and for

what kind of information one has to approach for EDP. Day 3 dealt with role of different

organizations in EDP like DIC and NABARD, KrishiVigyan Kendra, NSIC, MSME and schemes under

MoFPI like NMFP. Day four majorly dealt with role of various national and regional departments

dealing with business opportunity guidance for EDP. The final day comprised of individual

counseling on product identification in Food Processing followed by Valedictory Session. The

workshop came to an end by a visit to the local food processing industry. The participants of the

training Programme was taken to Bosco Integrated Development Centre located at Yupia/ Tigdo,

Papum Pare district, Arunachal Pradesh.

The Entrepreneurship workshop concluded with great highs and participation of the people.

Making difference in quality with the same ingredient is the right approach to success. This is what

this workshop instigated in the participants. The enthusiasm and coordination of the participants

was commendable. The EDP programmes participants, especially ladies showed interestin training on

small scale food processing like pickle, jam making etc. The participants said that exposure trips to local

or other national food processing units would help in inspiring and training them to be successful

entrepreneurs in the field of food processing.