IIP will design, develop packaging solution for agri, food non firm products in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Aug 29: The Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) will identify,design and develop suitable packaging solutions for agriculture products, processed food products and non-farm products of SHGs, Producer Groups (PGs) & Producer Companies (PCs) promoted under Mission Shakti in Odisha.

A tripartite Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in this regard was signed among Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment (DA&FE), Mission Shakti Department and Indian Institute
of Packaging (IIP) here on Tuesday
The IIP will partner with the Mission Shakti for a period of three years towards standardising packaging practices of Millet Shakti products.

It will also facilitate and organise capacity building training programmes on packaging technology for officials of the Directorate of Agriculture & Food Production, Department of Mission Shakti and WSHGs for targeting local, high value and export markets.
State Agriculture Secretary Arabinda Kumar Padhee, said women self-help groups in Odisha are producing a variety of products. However, they face challenges in packaging their products.

He said the partnership with the IIP will bring about significant change and add value to their products.”
Director of Agriculture & Food Production Prem Chandra Chaudhary said IIP will significantly enhance the packaging of these products and urged the IIP officials to explore how packaging
can be done using locally available raw materials.
Joint Secretary, Mission Shakti Binod Kumar Jena, said, “We have lakhs of SHGs in Odisha producing a large number of products.

The SHG members, he said require training and support to enhance their packaging capabilities adding that the IIP, being a pioneer in this field, can assist the SHGs in this regard.
Once this happens, it will help millet SHGs to become millet SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises),Jena said.
Joint Director, Indian Institute of Packaging Dr. Babu Rao Guduri said, “IIP has been operating in India since 1966 and has gained expertise in the field of packaging.
The IIP, he said had collaborated with other states to improve the packaging of various products
As per the agreement, IIP will have responsibilities, including conducting site and field visits to understand the packaging needs of Women Self-Help Groups (WSHGs) at different stages of the value chain.
The focus will be on packaging solutions for organic products, high-value markets, and export markets.
The institute will also organise training programmes on packaging technology for master trainers
from WSHGs, as well as workshops and learning events on packaging.
They will provide handholding support and capacity building programmes for selected WSHGs interested in undertaking packaging entrepreneurship.