Guardian Minister says agro-processing and integrated farming key to reducing migration from Marathwada
Parbhani : “Students must become job creators rather than merely job seekers. Around ₹1,500 crore of investment has been planned under the proposed ‘Parbhani Growth Hub’, while a pilot project based on the ‘Silk & Milk’ concept will also be implemented in the district,” Maharashtra Minister of State and Parbhani Guardian Minister Meghana Sakore-Bordikar said on Saturday.
Speaking at an industry–academia interaction programme organised under the ‘UDYAM – Viksit Marathwada Mission’ at the Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth (VNMKV), she said agro-based industries and value addition in agriculture could play a significant role in reducing migration from Parbhani and the wider Marathwada region.
Sakore-Bordikar said agriculture would become more remunerative only when linked with food processing, allied industries and integrated farming systems. She said the state government would facilitate infrastructure and technical support for agro-based industries and urged agriculture graduates to view farming as an entrepreneurial opportunity rather than only a traditional occupation.
Presiding over the programme, VNMKV Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Indra Mani said Marathwada possessed significant potential for agro-based industries due to its agricultural research ecosystem, fertile land and human resources. “To translate the vision of ‘Parbhani First’ into reality, industry, academia and government must work together,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor said the university had recently secured four new research projects and would work towards transferring their benefits to farmers, industries and students. He also cited examples of collective farmer marketing initiatives in the district and agro-processing ventures based on forest produce.
CASMB Secretary General Dr. Umesh Kamble said the ‘UDYAM – Viksit Marathwada Mission’ seeks to strengthen collaboration between industry, academic institutions, research organisations and government agencies to promote entrepreneurship and create employment opportunities for local youth.
During the programme, industry experts Shripad Thombre, Atish Salunke and Satish Bhorkade shared their experiences on dairy entrepreneurship, agro-processing, food technology, innovation and startup development. They emphasised the importance of technology adoption, value addition and entrepreneurship in strengthening the rural economy.
The programme was attended by entrepreneurs, farmer producer company representatives, agro-processing professionals, researchers, faculty members and students from across the region.
