New K'taka agri policy to focus on food processing sector

Bangalore, May 30 (UNI) Karnataka Agriculture Minister Bandeppa Kashempur today said the new agriculture policy, to be introduced in the next four months, will lay stress on the promotion of food processing industry in a big way in the State.

Talking to reporters here, he said the State Government had set aside Rs 40 crore for providing facilities for the food processing and horticulture sectors to market their produce with value addition.

Mr Kashempur said an expert committee had been formed to prepare a district-level study on crop patterns for setting up suitable food processing units in those areas. The new farm policy would be framed based on this report, he added.

Referring to the Centre's proposal to set up a mega food park in the State, he said the Government was committed to extend all cooperation in this regard.

Union Minister of State for Food Processing Subhod Kant Sahai, during his recent visit to the State, had said the State had good potential in food processing and should extend tax benefits and other incentives to woo global investors. He had also asked the State to immediately frame such a policy to give a fillip to the industry.

Mr Kashempur said the Government had set a target of Rs 3,600 crore for the farm loan scheme at four per cent interest, to be disbursed to 14 lakh farmers this year. He had instructed all the DCC banks to take immediate action for the disbursal of the funds to farmers as the monsoon had arrived in advance.

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