Minister Sahai seeks German cooperation in food processing

New Delhi, Nov 15 9ANI): Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Subodh Kant Sahai has said that India is set to witness the next revolution in Food Processing Industry.

Speaking after meeting the German Minister of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, H.E. Ilse Aigner, he said Germany should coperate in the field of food processing and the allied sectors including the packaging sector. He sought transfer of technology and investment promotion in the sector.

Sahai stressed that investment can be made in Mega Food Parks that ensure value addition of agricultural commodities, including poultry, meat, dairy, fisheries and would facilitiate state-of-the-art processing technology, quality assurance through better processing control and capacity building.

He said the Centre has set an investment target of one lakh crore rupees by 2015 in the food processing sector.

"The sector is expected to grow by 20 per cent and value addition to increase by 35 per cent by 2015," he added.

He further said Germany is one of the leading producer of wine in the world as well as a big importer of wine. Germany and India Grape Processing Board can collaborate in the field of grape processing technology.

German Minister said both Germany and India have traditional bilateral cooperation in many fields.

"Cooperation between the two countries in trade of processed food products would benefit mutually," she added.

The Minister also said Germany will provide technology for Mega Food Parks and modern abattoirs being set up in India. (ANI)