Move to develop food processing sector

Surajit khaund

GUWAHATI, Feb 15 - The Union Food Processing Ministry has identified North-east India as a potential area for development as far as processed food is concerned. The Ministry has also taken up a slew of measures, including infrastructure development and geared up the existing marketing system.

Talking to this Correspondent here today, Awadesh Kumar, Director, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, said that to explore the potential of food processing sector in the North- east, the Ministry has laid emphasis on upgrading the existing infrastructure.

"In the last fiscal, we had a budget of Rs 242 crore of which 10 per cent was allocated to the North-east", he said.

Kumar, however, observed that public-private participation is essential to develop the food processing sector in the North-east. "This region is a potential area, but due to lack of proper technology, food processing sector is yet to gain momentum for which concerned state governments should take appropriate steps in this regard," he added.

Kumar who was in the city today in connection with a seminar jointly organised by the North East Trade Promotion and Development Council (NETPDC) and Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) on the occasion of 2nd Asom International Trade Fair, also suggested initiating contract farming in the region. "Contract farming with modern technology will definitely benefit the farmers in this region", he said, and added that farmers in the region have suffered post harvest loss of their produce and that needs to be brought down by providing adequate training.

He admitted that the existing marketing system has remained a major hindrance, to the development of this sector and the Central Government has, therefore, taken some actions in this respect. "To sustain in the international market, quality and packaging must be improved," he added.

Leading entrepreneurs present in the seminar highlighted the problems faced during setting up of food processing industries. "We have sufficient resources, but we do not get funds from the financial institutions while setting up of industry," a local trader of Meghalaya who has been associated with this sector told this Correspondent on the sidelines of the seminar.

Subir Ghosh, Director of Annapurna Group, underlined the need to withdraw the existing marketing tax system. "Taxation is a huge burden and that has taken a toll on the food processing industries in the North-east. We have submitted several memoranda to the authorities concerned, but in vain," he alleged.