Central Institute of Horticulture

ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
CUM
SKILL DEVELOPMENT TRAINEES MEET

29-31 January, 2019

INAUGURAL PROGRAMMEE

Central Institute of Horticulture, Nagaland in technical collaboration with National Institute of Agricultural Marketing, Jaipur organized a 3 days Entrepreneurship Development Programme cum Skill Development Trainees Meet at its campus in Medziphema, Nagaland w.e.f. 29-31 January 2019. The programme was organized with the objective to highlight the prospects of entrepreneurship in horticulture to the educated and unemployed youth.

The programme was formally inaugurated by Dr. B N S Murthy, Horticulture Commissioner, Dept. of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare who graced the occasion as Chief Guest. In his address, he mentioned the importance and prospects of entrepreneurship in horticulture. Citing several success stories, he encouraged the participants to take up the challenge of starting their own enterprise. Brief remarks were given by Dr. Venketesh Hubbali, Director, Directorate of Cashew & Cocoa Development, Kochi & Dr. R E Lotha, Director, Dept. of Horticulture, Govt. of Nagaland while Director CIH, Dr. N K Patle delivered the welcome address during the inaugural programme.

An exhibition programme was also inaugurated by the Chief Guest Dr. B N S Murthy, Horticulture Commissioner, DAC&FW where nine exhibitors from various state govt., central govt., private entrepreneurs & farmers group showcased their products and highlighted upon their schemes & services to the participants. Variety of fresh and processed horticulture products was available for display and sale for the general public and participants of the programme..

During the inaugural programme, certificates were distributed to the trainees of three batches of skill development courses on Floriculturist-PC & Gardener and one batch of certificate course on PHM. Training manuals on skill development courses for Floriculturist-PC & Gardener and extension folder on oyster mushroom were released during the programme. The certificates of five accredited nurseries (Rakho Kiwi Nursery, Nagaland, Ato Nursery, Nagaland, Naltali Nursery, Assam, Ali Baruah Nursery, Assam & Farmers Career Point Nursery, Assam were also distributed.

A total of 162 participants comprising of EDP participants, ex-trainees of skill development & certificate courses, exhibitors, farmers and officials attended the inaugural programme. The inaugural programme was compered by Ms. Imtinaro Jamir, PA to Director and vote of thanks was delivered by Mr. Prabin Das, Marketing Specialist.

TECHNICAL SESSION

A number of experts from various organizations were invited to deliver lectures during the 3 days Entrepreneurship Development Programme cum Skill Development Trainees Meet.

On the first day, Shri. Taliwati Longchar, Dy. Director, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise, Govt, of India highlighted the various schemes under MSME which entrepreneurs can avail. He gave examples of a number of successful entrepreneurs supported by MSME in the North East Region. The procedures and the eligibility to avail the schemes were explained in detail by him.

Shri. Promod Patil, Manager, NABARD gave an outline of the agricultural and horticultural schemes under NABARD. He provided the details of Tribal Development Fund, Farm Sector Promotion Fund, ACABC scheme, DED scheme, National Livelihood Mission-EDEG and Stand Up India scheme. He also gave a detailed lecture on formation and management of FPOs.

Mrs. Lucy Thomas Ngullie, Proprietor, Dream Dragon Fruit Nursery, Dimapur shared her success story on Dragon Fruit cultivation. She provided information on how she came up with the idea to start her own farm and the hurdles and challenges she faced while establishing the unit. She also gave details on the economics of cultivation of dragon fruit and the increasing demand of the fruit.

On the second day, Dr. Ajay Deore, Founder, Gro-Organic, Mumbai delivered presentation on the prospects of entrepreneurship in organic farming. He highlighted upon the opportunities that can be tapped in organic production of horticulture crops. The shared the various benefits of organic agriculture and how entrepreneurs can play a vital role to boost organic production and distribution.

Dr. Mahendra Thakur, Director, Ruchi Biochemicals, Mumbai deliberated upon the potential of entrepreneurship in production of organic inputs. He gave a detailed presentation on how to start production of bio inputs. The shared details on the various products manufactured by his company and procedures to process the inputs.

Dr. Ramesh Mittal, Director, NIAM, Jaipur presented on the topics ‘scope and prospects of entrepreneurship in horticulture’ & ‘developing entrepreneurial competencies’. Citing various success stories, he encouraged the participants to be innovative and be ready to take up the initial challenges faced while starting their own enterprise.

On the third day, Dr. Ramesh Mittal, Director, NIAM, Jaipur presented on the topics ‘market planning & positioning’ & ‘digital and e-marketing platforms’. He shared the various possibilities to market horticulture produce while comparing to the recent developments in infrastructures and technologies to facilitate the entrepreneur.

EXHIBITION

An exhibition programme was also organized on 29th January 2019 where nine exhibitors from various state govt., central govt., private entrepreneurs & farmers group showcased their products and highlighted upon their schemes & services to the participants. Variety of fresh and processed horticulture products was available for display and sale for the general public and participants of the programme.

The objective of the exhibition programme was to highlight and promote the horticultural produce of the region.

LIST OF EXHIBITORS

Sl.	EXHIBITORS	STATE
1	DEPARTMENT OF HORTICULTURE, SASRD, NU	NAGALAND
2	DEPARTMENT OF HORTICULTURE, GOVT. OF NAGALAND	NAGALAND
3	KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA-ICAR, JHARNAPANI	NAGALAND
4	NAGALAND HONEY & BEEKEEPING MISSION	NAGALAND
5	CENTRAL INSTITUTE OF HORTICULTURE, MEDZIPHEMA	NAGALAND
6	KOHIMA DISTRICT FARMERS PRODUCERS ORGANIZATION	NAGALAND
7	M/S. SALT RANGE FOODS (P) LTD.	GUWAHATI
8	EX-TRAINEES, SKILL DEVELOPMENT, MEGHALAYA SFAC	MEGHALAYA
9	EX-TRAINEES, CERTIFICATE COURSE	NAGALAND

CLOSING PROGRAMME

The closing programme of 3 days Entrepreneurship Development Programme was organized on 31st January 2019. Dr. N K Patle, Dy. Commissioner (Hort.), DAC&FW and Director i/c, CIH welcomed all the participants in the programme and encouraged them to take initiative in starting their own enterprise. Brief remarks were delivered by Dr. Ramesh Mittal, Director, NIAM Jaipur, Dr. Venketesh Hubbali, Director, DCCD, Kochi & Mrs. Chauhan. Certificates were distributed to the EDP participants by the dignitaries during the closing programme.

Altogether 54 participants attended the 3 days Entrepreneurship development Programme. The training report was presented by Mr. Prabin Das, Marketing Specialist and the closing programme was compered by Ms. Vinika Aomi, Post Harvest Technologist.