Centre to fund Rs 68 cr in 9 agro-processing projects

Kolkata, Jun 14 (UNI) The Centre will invest Rs 68 crore in nine major agri-processing projects in West Bengal.

Speaking to mediapersons here today, Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jairam Ramesh said the Centre would provide Rs 64 crore and the rest would be funded by Agri-Processing Export Developemnt Agency (APEDA).

''The projects include a Flower Auction centre in Mullickghat, Potato Development centre in Burdwan, Pineapple processing Centre in North Dinajpur, Export Cargo Complex in Haldia Port and two Perishable Cargo Complex,'' he added.

Three of the project -- two Multipurpose Pack House in North 24 Parganas and Malda and a Food Testing Lab in Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya are already operation, he added.

All the projects would be operational during 2007-08 fiscal.

''With huge potential in the agro-processing sector, we want Bengal to develop as the value-added agro-processing hub,'' he added.

UNI