Meghalaya inaugurates Technology Incubation Centre for Jackfruit Processing in Tura

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 20, 2024

The Techno Incubation Centre (TIC) for Jackfruit Processing was set up at the College of Community Science, Tura under the Mission Jackfruit in Meghalaya which marks a significant advancement in the region’s agricultural and entrepreneurial landscape. This initiative aims to transform jackfruit, an underutilized resource into a commercially viable product, offering sustainable income opportunities for local farmers and entrepreneurs.

It may be mentioned that the Directorate of Food processing, Meghalaya is the implementing agency of the Mission.

The Technology Incubation Centre for Jackfruit Processing is to be inaugurated by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, but due to unavoidable circumstances he could not be present at the function and was inaugurated by Vice-Chancellor, CAU, Imphal Anupam Mishra in the presence of West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Jagdish Chelani, Officer on Special Duty, Directorate of Food Processing, Meghalaya B Mylliemngap, Dean, College of Community Science, Dr. Jyoti Vastrad, other distinguished dignitaries, Heads of Various Departments, Invitees, farmers and entrepreneurs of the region.

Addressing the gathering virtually as Chief Guest, the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad K Sangma informed that this is a one of the important developmental project dedicated for the people of the region and that the Technology Incubation Centre (TIC) is the larger part of the Mission Jackfruit. He further said that the project aims to provide proper training and infrastructure facilities while also enhancing the quality of products made from jackfruit and provide a sustainable source of income for farmers and entrepreneurs.

He further highlighted that the TIC was conceived as a state –of-art facility to maximize jackfruit utilization and reduce wastage during seasons which focuses on the production of value-added jackfruit products boosting the local economy and creating new opportunities. The Chief Minister also said that the centre provides advanced training resources and technological support to farmers and entrepreneurs encouraging innovation and sustainable practices in jackfruit processing and the TIC is also equipped with a quality control laboratory for Food testing which is vital to maintain food quality.

West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Jagdish Chelani lauded the efforts of the Dean and the Faculty Members of the College of Community Science, Tura for taking this initiative and reaching out to the farmers and entrepreneurs of the region including other activities of the college. Stating that jackfruit is loaded with many nutrients, he said that jackfruit is a value-added product and various products are being prepared by the entrepreneurs from jackfruit and the Technology Incubation Centre (TIC) serves the people especially the jackfruit entrepreneurs of the area.

Mentioning that Meghalaya is primarily an agriculture society, he said that the State produces best quality of pineapples, oranges, turmeric, etc but lacks in quantity and therefore, improvement to increase the these products is required, he added.

The Dean, College of Community, CAU (I) Tura Dr. Jyoti Vastrad informed that the Technology Incubation Centre aims to empower local communities by providing tools, knowledge, quality testing and certification and also assist to produce high quality products that can compete with the global market which further extends to all other agricultural produce of the region offering sustainable income opportunities for local farmers and entrepreneurs.

Meanwhile, the Associate Professor, CCS, CAU, (I) Tura, Dr. Natasha R Marak informed that before the establishment of TIC, Mission Jackfruit had already trained over 250 individuals in jackfruit cultivation, processing and commercialization and added that the efforts laid the groundwork for the TIC’s future operations, demonstrating the potential benefits of systematic support for jackfruit related enterprise.

Vice-Chancellor, CAU, Imphal Anupam Mishra, Officer on Special Duty, Directorate of Food Processing, Meghalaya B Mylliemngap, Jackfruit Entrepreneur, Perastill R Sangma were among others who spoke on the occasion.

Earlier during the function, the dignitaries lights the ceremonial lamp, and the dignitaries also release the Techno Incubation Centre for Jackfruit Processing Brochure.

ICAR, KVK from all Garo Hills Districts and Jackfruit Entrepreneurs of the region displayed their products during the function.