BHUBANESWAR: Taking into account the immense export potential and employment generation capacity of the agro and food processing sector, the Orissa Government is all set to put in force a comprehensive State Food Processing Policy soon.
The policy formulated after extensive consultations with exporters, varied groups and stake-holders seeks to promote establishment of food processing industries by providing them conducive operational environment and incentives. The draft policy is under consideration of the Government and would be finalised soon, Minister for Industries, Steel and Mines, Raghunath Mohanty said here today.
In 2008-09, as many as 23,026 agro and food processing units were set up with an investment of Rs 939.23 crore and employing 1.20 lakh people. But export turnover has not been significant enough. In 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08, export of processed food products from Orissa has been Rs 39306.78 lakh, Rs 41033.97 and Rs 39312.15 lakh respectively. Though there is ample scope, inadequate knowledge stands a bar for exports, observed Mohanty while inaugurating a seminar on `Export prospectus of agro and processed food products industries’ organised jointly by IPICOL (Team Orissa) and APEDA.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman APEDA Asit Tripathy underlined an urgent need for promotion of the sector. Agro and processed food exports contribute to 15 percent of India’s total export turnover. But Orissa being primarily dependant on agriculture has failed to take advantage.
In agreement Chairman IPICOL Sourabh Garg said that agro and processed food exports from Orissa is less than Rs 1 crore while marine food export is over Rs 400 crore. Though the Agricultural Policy 2008 addresses the sustainability issues of commercial, agri, horticultural and organic produce, there was still scope for developing and linking the forest and herbal produce of the state for export.
Joint Secretary in the Union Ministry of Food Processing industries K Rajeswar Rao detailed the incentives and grants of the Centre for development of the sector.
Source : expressbuzz.com