Chandigarh: Union Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal today announced the establishment of a business incubation training centre of the Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology (IIFPT) at Bathinda.  

She also invited farmers to participate in a training camp on February 27 at the centre to avail of food processing industry schemes. 

In a statement here, the union minister said the one day workshop on February 27 will provide unique opportunity to progressive farmers who want to avail loans to start their own businesses be it fish farming, bee keeping or even dairies.  

The minister said the focus of the workshop was not only on providing loans to farmers with built-in subsidy but also to train them to make their new endeavours a success.  

Harsimrat said farmers will not only be provided knowledge about how to market their produce after adding value to it, but would also meet firms and companies who would assist them in marketing their goods. 

"We want to provide a complete package to farmers and will try to ensure they have tie-ups with companies who will take their goods to end users. Those wishing to retail their goods themselves will also be given training for the same," she said.  

Urging farmers to take advantage of this scheme, the union minister said as much as Rs 6,000 crore was slated to be distributed to farmers and farm entrepreneurs by her ministry in the next two years. PTI