Leh/ Jan 03: Advisor to Hon’ble LG, Umang Narula, chaired a meeting to review the establishment of an Agro-Processing Cluster (APC) under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampeda Yojana (PMKSY) at the Secretariat today.

The meeting was attended by Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Ladakh; Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Leh; Director, Industries and Commerce, Ladakh; Deputy Commissioner Kargil; Director DIHAR, and Director, Agriculture/Horticulture Ladakh.

Advisor Narula stated that officials from the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MOFPI) had visited Ladakh last year following which it was decided to establish an Agro-Processing Cluster in Leh. Subsequently, an Invest India official were assigned to look after the project.

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Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Ladakh, Saugat Biswas informed about the consultations with MOFPI and the steps taken for completion of the proposal. He also informed that the land has been identified for this purpose.

Advisor Narula was apprised about the objectives of the scheme that aim at the development of modern infrastructure and common facilities to encourage entrepreneurs to set up food processing units based on cluster approach by linking groups of producers/farmers to the processors and markets through the well-equipped supply chain with modern infrastructure.

A presentation was given by the Industries and Commerce Department in which objectives, salient features, the basic components of the scheme, APC core infrastructure, cleaning, sorting, grading and packing unit, cold storage and pre-cooling chambers, ripening chambers, IQF and specialised packaging facility, IIFPT Technical/Training Office were discussed.

The Advisor was apprised that Sea Buckthorn and Apricot mini-Agro Processing Clusters would be set up at Leh and Kargil respectively. The Advisor was further informed that at least 5 food processing units with a minimum aggregate investment of Rs. 25 crores would be set up in the Agro Processing Cluster.

Advisor Narula instructed the concerned officials to prepare the proposal after proper stakeholders consultations with entrepreneurs working in these fields.