Govt looking at new scheme for Mega Food Parks with cluster based approach
Updated: Sep 12, 2014 02:38:19pm
New Delhi, Sept 12 (KNN) Union Food Processing Industries Minister, Harsimrat Kaur Badal said that her Ministry was looking at a new scheme of Mega Food Parks where cluster based approach would be followed which gives flexibility to the prospective entrepreneur regarding the area and the number and nature of units to be set up in the food parks.
She has sought suggestions from stakeholders so that district wise identification could be done on surplus fruits and vegetables in that area. The Union Minister also stressed the need to collaborate and collectively participate in food Shows abroad under “Brand India”.
Badal said this while addressing a meeting with Ministers of Food Processing Industries of States/ UTs to review the progress of the National Mission on Food Processing in the capital yesterday.
She said that impetus to food processing can minimize wastage of perishable commodities and give better returns for farmers while simultaneously ensuring cheaper prices for consumers.
She also stressed the need for bringing down the percentage of wastages in the agricultural commodities particularly in fruits and vegetables from the present 18 per cent to much lower levels.
The minister encouraged using practical engineering solutions and simple techniques particularly at the harvesting stage and transportation stage so that farmers could get a better price for their produce and minimise wastage.
Commenting on the progress in the National Mission for Food Processing, the Minister noted that in the first six months of the current financial year, around 50 per cent of the grants has been released to the States.
Agriculture Minister, Karnataka, Krishna B Gowda emphasized the need for backward integration of retail units with the Food Processing projects so that a direct connect was achieved between the consumers and the producers.
He said that investments in organised retail would result in efficiency in the food chain and better value for farmers. He also highlighted the need for de-regulation of agriculture markets. He requested that food processing sector be included in the priority sector lending at par with agriculture by the banks.
Ministers from other States /UTs who had done well in food processing shared their experience and also gave their suggestions and inputs for the food processing sector. Additional Chief Secretary, Maharashtra, S K Goyal, recounted the great benefit that had accrued to the farmers through National Mission on Food Processing.
Lieutanant Governor, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Lt Gen (Retd) A K Singh, noted that 30 per cent of India’s fish resources were in A & N Islands and they would collaborate with Andhra Pradesh for the fisheries sector.
Minister for Industries, Goa, Mahadev Naik suggested that cold storage should be set up in villages for processing fish and meat. (KNN/SD)
She has sought suggestions from stakeholders so that district wise identification could be done on surplus fruits and vegetables in that area. The Union Minister also stressed the need to collaborate and collectively participate in food Shows abroad under “Brand India”.
Badal said this while addressing a meeting with Ministers of Food Processing Industries of States/ UTs to review the progress of the National Mission on Food Processing in the capital yesterday.
She said that impetus to food processing can minimize wastage of perishable commodities and give better returns for farmers while simultaneously ensuring cheaper prices for consumers.
She also stressed the need for bringing down the percentage of wastages in the agricultural commodities particularly in fruits and vegetables from the present 18 per cent to much lower levels.
The minister encouraged using practical engineering solutions and simple techniques particularly at the harvesting stage and transportation stage so that farmers could get a better price for their produce and minimise wastage.
Commenting on the progress in the National Mission for Food Processing, the Minister noted that in the first six months of the current financial year, around 50 per cent of the grants has been released to the States.
Agriculture Minister, Karnataka, Krishna B Gowda emphasized the need for backward integration of retail units with the Food Processing projects so that a direct connect was achieved between the consumers and the producers.
He said that investments in organised retail would result in efficiency in the food chain and better value for farmers. He also highlighted the need for de-regulation of agriculture markets. He requested that food processing sector be included in the priority sector lending at par with agriculture by the banks.
Ministers from other States /UTs who had done well in food processing shared their experience and also gave their suggestions and inputs for the food processing sector. Additional Chief Secretary, Maharashtra, S K Goyal, recounted the great benefit that had accrued to the farmers through National Mission on Food Processing.
Lieutanant Governor, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Lt Gen (Retd) A K Singh, noted that 30 per cent of India’s fish resources were in A & N Islands and they would collaborate with Andhra Pradesh for the fisheries sector.
Minister for Industries, Goa, Mahadev Naik suggested that cold storage should be set up in villages for processing fish and meat. (KNN/SD)
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