Bengaluru, January 03, 2016: Horticulture and Food Processing Minister, Madhya Pradesh Sushri Kusum Mahdele has urged investors to take interest in setting up food industries in Madhya Pradesh. She said that there are better investment possibilities to set up food processing units in Madhya Pradesh in view of increased production of food grains, horticulture crops and milk. Sushri Mahdele was addressing ‘MP Food-Tech 2015′ organized by Union Food Processing Ministry and Indian Chamber of Commerce here today.
Sushri Mahdele accepted that food processing units are less in number in proportion to production achieved in Madhya Pradesh during last 10 years. She urged investors that the state government will provided better facilities than other states if investors set up food processing units in Madhya Pradesh. Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan wishes that investors are provided all facilities. She said that Madhya Pradesh has such a climate that all crops grow here. Madhya Pradesh had outdone other states in production of milk and food grains. This year, there has been bumper crop of orange in the state. Food processing units should be set up for horticulture crops which are being produced profusely like orange, guava, Ber etc. Farmers will get maximum benefit if more food processing units are set up. Sushri Mahdele said that Madhya Pradesh has moved to 4th position from 7th position in the country in milk production. Madhya Pradesh can outdo Amul if investors take interest in production of milk and its products. She said that entire state should be linked with food processing activities.
Managing Director Agro Shri S.K. Mishra said that Madhya Pradesh government is constantly encouraging investors setting up units in food parks. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan is in constant touch with investors. Madhya Pradesh’ ranking is good in Ease of Doing Business. Shri Mishra said that along with rise in population, people’s lifestyle has also changed. Now, people have become alert about quality of food. He informed that Madhya Pradesh has maintained economic growth rate in double digit during last 10 years. Agriculture growth is also highest in the world. Madhya Pradesh has outdone Haryana in wheat production. Pulses production is also very good.
Chief General Manager of NABARD, Bhopal Shri R.N. Kulkarni informed that government of India is promoting food industry and making constant efforts to put it in good condition. Central government has allocated Rs. 5225 crore for food business. He lauded road connectivity of the state and called for connecting farmers with food industry. Union Deputy Secretary Food Processing Shri S.K. Verma said that food processing industry should initiate steps to strengthen Make in India. He informed that 2 out of 4 mega food parks in Madhya Pradesh have started functioning while work is underway in the remaining food parks.
At the outset, Sushri Mahdele released book ‘Bharat Main Food Processing Industry’. Mementoes were presented to the guests on behalf of Indian Chamber of Commerce.
Corporate Comm India(CCI Newswire)
