Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 23 Jan: A Two-Day State-Level Consultation Workshop on “Value Chain Strengthening, New Product Development (NPD) and Supply Chain Optimization for Uttarakhand” was successfully organized under the Rural Enterprise Acceleration Project (REAP) and the House of Himalayas (HoH)–HILANS framework.
The workshop was inaugurated by the Project Director, Jharana Kamthan, who provided valuable guidance to all stakeholders on developing high-quality products suitable for both mass markets and luxury brands. In her inaugural address, she appreciated the collective efforts of all 13 districts for showcasing a wide range of innovative and market-ready products. She emphasized the importance of quality assurance, consistency, branding, and scalability, while encouraging district teams to align products with global standards without compromising Uttarakhand’s unique Himalayan identity.
The two-day workshop featured insightful addresses by Director (Finance) Bhupendra Kandpal, Deputy Commissioner (Project), Naresh Kumar, Deputy Director (HR & Training), MS Yadav and the Consultant, Kailash Bhatt, along with active participation from the PMU Team and MCF Team. District Project Management Units, HILANS FPO representatives, CLF members, and SHG representatives participated enthusiastically in product displays, technical sessions, and group discussions, making the consultation interactive and outcome-oriented.
On Day 1, districts showcased their products and participated in discussions on value chain strengthening and new product development. On Day 2, the workshop focused on mapping high-volume produce across districts to assess surplus availability and strengthen market linkages. Special sessions were conducted on organic produce mapping and the adoption of PGS and ICS practices to improve certification, traceability, and quality assurance. A strategic planning exercise was also undertaken to identify locations for hubs and state-of-the-art facilities to build a robust district-level supply chain.
The second day was further highlighted by a visit by Jharana Kamathan, during which a brief presentation on the outcomes of both days was made. She appreciated the overall success of the workshop and directed all teams to maintain the highest quality standards, strengthen the supply chain system, and focus on new and innovative product development.
The Deputy Director (HR & Training) shared practical insights on strengthening the supply side to meet market demand and maintaining farm-to-market quality, while Director Finance, in the closing remarks, emphasized the development of district-specific products to create a unique identity and recognition for each district.
The workshop concluded with a collective resolve to strengthen Uttarakhand’s rural enterprise ecosystem under REAP, enabling better market access, value addition, and enhanced incomes for farmers and rural entrepreneurs.
