PM inaugurates Fieldfresh Agri Centre of Excellence in Punjab

Ludhiana, Sep 27 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today inaugurated 'FieldFresh Agriculture Centre of Excellence' spread over 300 acres at Loadhowal village on the outskirts of the city.

Welcoming this initiative of the Bharti Enterprises, the Prime Minister said the country's economic growth was critically dependent on achieving higher rates of agricultural growth which, he stressed, was also necessary to improve the lot of the farming community.

''I have repeatedly drawn attention to the need for revitalising and improving our research system, extension services, the food processing technologies and our market system,'' Dr Singh said, while stressing the need for Research and Development facilities in the agri-sector.

He said poor post-harvest management facilities, multi-level intermediation, lack of road connectivity and supply chains, limited technical knowledge to meet global cultivation standards and laxity in implementing stringent food safety and hygiene norms were the main reasons that 30 per cent of the country's agri-produce was discarded as wastage.

''We must improve the existing constraints in post harvest handling and simplify export processes and procedures,'' Dr Singh said.

Pointing out that the FDI in food processing was now given automatic approval, the Prime Minister said the Centre had made warehouse receipts negotiable and the commodity markets were being modernised.

Dr Singh said the success of Field Fresh initiative was important particularly for the agrarian state like Punjab.

''I want to see a new Punjab in which new industries are set up, I want to see a new Punjab which is a knowledge hub with world class institutions,'' the Prime Minister said, while exhorting the entrepreneurs to invest in the state's agro-industry business.

Speaking on the occasion, Bharti Enterprises chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal said that 'FieldFresh had begun its journey with a vision to ''link Indian farms to the world'' by creating the country's first global outsourcing opportunity in fresh produce.

He said this Centre would play a vital role in ensuring that farmers get access to the latest agriculture practices resulting in the world-class fresh produce from India for global markets.

The Fieldfresh Agri Centre of Excellence has 211 acres of open cultivation and micro irrigation test and control facilities in 50 acres. The centre houses India's largest protected cultivation spread over 42 acres that includes poly-houses, glass and green houses and net houses.

Mr Mittal said the company was working in close partnership with Punjab Agricultural University on several R and D projects for development of world-class produce for international markets.

Fieldfresh Foods Private Limited is a joint venture between Bharti Enterprises and ELRo Holdings India Ltd, an investment company of the Rothschild family.

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