Dehradun, Aug 8 (KNN)   As many as 3.2 lakh additional employment opportunities, comprising of about 30,000 direct and 2.9 lakh indirect jobs can be created in the state of Uttarakhand during the next five years if the agriculture and food processing industry is developed to its full potential.
 
These were the findings of a study titled, ‘Food Processing Opportunities in Uttarakhand conducted by ASSOCHAM Economic Research Bureau (AERB).
 
Currently there are two mega food parks in Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar which when operational will contribute approximately Rs 6,000 crore to the state’s gross state domestic product, media reports said regarding the study.
 
ASSOCHAM has created a Special Cell on Uttarakhand to mobilize investments and technology in the food processing sector to get at least 50 new companies to set up their units in state.  Further, it will provide training to new entrepreneurs and promoting on-farm processing technology.
 
An Agri and Food Processor Conclave: Opportunities, Finance, Technology and Market is scheduled to be held in Rudrapur on November-27.  Organised by ASSOCHAM, the event is yet another effort to promote the food processing industry in the state.
 
The study highlighted the fact that government should pump in at least Rs 1,500 crore in addition to the existing incentives and subsidy schemes in building necessary infrastructure by way of roads, uninterrupted power supply for food processing units, rural storage close to supply centres and others.  This would be aside from the private capital and working capital needs that are met by banks and financial institutions.
 
Further the state government should take steps to create modern storage, link roads in hills/rural areas to reduce wastages and also encourage processing units to set up their facilities close to producing centres which will further reduce wastages.   (KNN Bureau)