New Delhi, Dec 20 (KNN) The Agriculture and Food Processing Industries Minister Sharad Pawar has called for state level reforms and linkages between agricultural production and the requirement of food processing industries, to enhance growth of the sector.

Taking about the problems faced by the food processing industries, the minister yesterday emphasised the need for streamlining the clearance processes and other reforms.

““Protection of ground water levels and a clear water usage policy across states will reduce unscrupulous practices and wastage of scarce resource. On the regulatory front, around 40 different approvals are needed to set up a green field manufacturing plant. These include clearances from different government bodies at the centre, state and local levels. If the process is streamlined, India can develop as a manufacturing hub,” he said.

Pawar also stressed the need to make the non-alcoholic beverage industry globally competitive.

“There is a need for economies of scale to make our non-alcoholic beverage sector globally competitive and to improve productivity, enhance investment and employment,” he said.

He expressed hope that investors will make use of various incentives offered to them by the government.

“I hope investors will take benefit of government’s scheme of grant in aid up to Rs 10 crore for setting up a cold chain project. This will facilitate investment in food processing sector by improving availability and quality of horticultural products round the year,” he said.  (KNN/ST)