Centre encouraging investment in Agro-processing industries

Mysore, Dec 17 (UNI) The Centre is encouraging investment in Agro-processing industries to reduce wastage, Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL) Director A S Bawa said today.

Speaking to newspersons here, he said to overcome constraints in food processing industry, policies and plans for improvement of infrastructure, including upgradation of technology, quality, standards and promotion of investment was required.

A strong and dynamic food processing sector would play a significant role in diversification of agricultural activities, improving value-addition opportunities and creating surplus for export of agro-food products, he added.

Apart from providing promotional support, the Union Government had also implemented a scheme for technology upgradation of food processing industries in the country, Dr Bawa said.

Though the agricultural production base was quite strong, wastage of farm produce was massive, he said adding the share of India's export of processed food during the last five years was 7.15 per cent.

The total flow of foreign direct investment in processing industry sector up to December 2006 was Rs 2,500.65 crore. This could be increased with sound technological support, he said.

Presently, food processing industry was facing inadequate infrastructure facilities constraints like cold chain, packing and grading centres, quality control and testing, he added.

UNI