Industries and Commerce Department, Ladakh organized a workshop with the Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT) Palampur (Lab of CSIR) in Food Processing Technologies under One District One Product, medicinal plants, and other produces of Ladakh on April 12.

An expert team comprising three scientists from CSIR-IHBT, Palampur who are domain experts in various fields participated in the workshop.

Commissioner/ Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Ladakh Saugat Biswas informed that the purpose of the workshop is to identify gaps and requirements of the existing and budding entrepreneurs in the domain of food processing. He exhorted that the motto of the Industries and Commerce Dept is to assist people to develop business enterprises leveraging the local potential of Ladakh and to assist them to grow businesses at the national and international levels.

The UT Administration is implementing various schemes for the generation of self-employment and livelihood like the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME), Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK), NRLM, etc which can benefit from the value addition of an institution like IHBT- Palampur can provide, said Biswas.

The participants from DIHAR (DRDO), the Institution of Sowa Rigpa, and the Horticulture department of Ladakh made brief presentations about the potential and challenges that the food processing industry faces in Ladakh.

About thirty entrepreneurs participated in the workshop from both Kargil and Leh districts who shared their experiences, needs, and requirements with the experts. Discussions on processing technologies, storage, packaging, presentation, and marketing took place on a one-on-one basis with the domain experts from IHBT. Horticulture produces such as Apricot, Sea buckthorn, buckwheat, Zeera, medicinal herbs, cosmetic products, apricot oil, etc. were at the centre stage of discussions.

Various decisions were taken regarding DPR preparation, technology transfer, capacity building, and exposure visits for entrepreneurs and Self-Help groups during the workshop.