EDP emphasize the processing of agro products into value added products ,reduce the wastage of agricultural products ,increase the income of farmers, prospective entrepreneurs & unemployed youth in an intensive manner ,sensitize them to the idea of value addition in food processing and encourage them to establish food processing industries. To achieve these objectives, the ministry enables small grants to NGOs for conducting EDP programs.

Ministry of Food Processing Industries Govt. of India jointly with Nobel Laureate Mother Teresa Charitable Trust conducted several EDP programs in various districts in the state of Tamil Nadu.

Earlier the program was conducted in three districts Chennai, Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri in the year 2005 -2006. It was a free Entrepreneurship Development Program on Food Processing Industries. The training was conducted for 28 days in each district. It was organized and implemented by MTF volunteers. The beneficiaries were unemployed youth, women and the economically backward. A total number of 77 persons were trained in the program and were benefited. Around 120 people (both men and women) were given training. The trained people were supported by micro finance to set up petty business concerns. Today we see, our students being high level entrepreneurs in those districts.

The second phase of the training program was conducted at Madurai from 8th Nov 2010 and at Kancheepuram from 27th Nov 2010 for 45 days. The six weeks free training program was on food processing, starting petty business on food products ,marketing them and financing. The target populations were women, economically backward and unemployed youth. A total number of 75 young people participated in the program. The district collector of Madurai Shri.C. Kamraj IAS inaugurated the Madurai program.

We were honoured by the presence of several Govt. officials, district collectors and other dignitaries for the inaugural and valedictory functions. Now, we are in a period of guiding them to start small business units so as to enable them a good life and living.

Both the programs were sponsored and supported by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, New Delhi. We are looking forward for more such training programs from the Ministry in the coming days.