CHONGKHAM : A one-day capacity building training programme on packaging, labelling, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licensing, pricing and Legal Metrology compliance was organised at Chongkham in Namsai district on Saturday under the Rural Mart Project sanctioned by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).
The programme was conducted by Namsai Organic Spices and Agricultural Products Producer Company Ltd (NOSAAP) in collaboration with the Arunachal State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ArSRLM).
The training aimed to strengthen the entrepreneurial and technical capacities of self-help group (SHG) members, farmer producer organisations (FPOs), cooperatives and rural entrepreneurs engaged in food processing and value-addition activities.
Technical sessions were led by NOSAAP Chief Executive Officer Chau Athina Chauhai, who spoke on scientific packaging methods, food labelling standards, FSSAI licensing procedures, pricing strategies and Legal Metrology compliance for packaged food products.
Participants were also guided on mandatory food labelling requirements, branding, shelf-life enhancement and online FSSAI registration through the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal.
SHG entrepreneur Nang Tashi Chauhai conducted practical demonstrations on food packaging techniques using sealing machines and other tools. She also shared her experience in packaging Khaw Tai rice and pickles to improve product presentation and market acceptance.
Addressing the participants, NABARD Namsai Assistant General Manager (District Development) Kamal Roy stressed the importance of proper packaging, branding and regulatory compliance in enhancing consumer confidence, product quality and marketability of local products.
He encouraged SHGs and newly formed cooperative societies to take up value-addition and food processing activities through the cooperative model for sustainable livelihood generation.
The programme concluded with an interactive session, where participants expressed that the training had significantly improved their understanding of packaging technologies, branding and food safety compliance for better marketing of rural products.
