NONGPOH:
The Office of the District Horticulture Officer, Ri Bhoi District, on October 12, organised a Valedictory Ceremony for trainees in Pickle Processing at the Office Hall of DHO. The event saw the presence of several guests, including Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem, who graced the occasion as the chief guest.
The Pickle Processing Training, conducted by the Directorate of Food Processing, was designed for 200 women. However, only 183 trainees completed the program, held from August 28 to September 22, 2023. Funding was provided by the Meghalaya State Skills Development Society under the Skill Meghalaya Project in collaboration with the Meghalaya State Rural Livelihood Society.
Addressing the gathering, Syiem shared his recent experience of visiting a pickle shop in Nongpoh, where foreign visitors hesitated to buy due to the absence of label tags. He remarked, “People from outside the state and country first check for product descriptions on label tags. I advised the shopkeeper to consider using label tags and even explore digital payment options like Google Pay to add value to their products.”
Syiem also highlighted that some individuals fail to utilise their certificates and knowledge effectively even after training. He urged all trainees to leverage their skills and adhere to government rules and regulations for food safety. He added, “There are numerous government initiatives aimed at supporting youth and women. Please view these government schemes as a means of self-support. As your representative, I am committed to assisting you. In particular, I encourage the youth to strive for self-reliance, not just relying on government employment.”
Also in attendance were A. Kharbudon, programme manager of the Meghalaya State Skill Development Society; Androni Lyngkhoi, a technical associate from the Directorate of Food Processing; FN Sun, District Horticulture Officer; BM Umlong and Rita M Umlong, the Joint Directors of Agriculture, and M. Lyngdoh Suiam, Officer on Special Duty from the Directorate of Food Processing.
A. Kharbudon emphasised the importance of the trainees’ proactive role in their own success, stating, “As an MSSDS, we provide funding, and the Horticulture department provides you with training. However, the ultimate outcome depends on you. Therefore, I urge you to make the most of the skills and knowledge you have acquired during this training. Utilise them to improve your standard of living and support your families.”
BM Umlong congratulated the trainees for their dedication. She urged them to apply their knowledge and consider labelling their products with FSSAI certification for added value and customer awareness.
