In a bid to boost the food processing sector in the country, Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, Harsimrat Kaur Badal said that her ministry is offering incentives to the farmers who are interested in taking up the job of food processing.

The Minister informed that the Food Processing industry under its dedicated scheme is offering subsidy from 1 lakh rupees to 10 crore rupees for assisting interested farmers at different stages of establishing their processing units.

The subsidy can be availed on technology, machinery, infrastructure, storage facilities, etc. by simply applying at her Ministry.

Badal requested the district level officials to help the interested farmers in filling the forms so that they can apply for the grant and migrate as food processors and not remain just food producers.

The Minister also invited the farmers pan India to participate in the upcoming World Food India (WFI).

“This is first ever event in the history of the country in which such a large and diverse gathering would be invited, both from India and abroad. The Ministry would like to welcome all the progressive farmers and other stakeholders to come and be a part of the event” the Minister said.

She stressed that the event would help bring the farmer’s technology and innovation into the global sphere, also it will help in the flow of FDI towards the sector in various states.

Badal was speaking at the launch event of the Common Food Processing Incubation Center for Shallots (Small Onions) in Chettikulam village in Perambalur District of Tamil Nadu through video conferencing from the national capital. (KNN/ DA)