Goa to host national seminar on food processing

Panaji, Jan 25 (PTI) Goa will host a national seminar onfood-processing later this month which is expected work outmodalities to boost the sagging agricultural sector in thecoastal state.

Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industries (GCCI) along withseveral government departments have organised the seminar onJanuary 29 which will have think tanks, experts and centralgovernment officials, deliberating on the prospects of thisindustry.

"Development of food processing industry can help inarresting the decline of agriculture in the state and alsoprovide good employment opportunities to local youth," SangamKurade, Chairman, Food Processing Committee, GCCI, toldreporters here today.

He said that several food processing units in Goa have tooutsource the raw material from outside the state borders asit is not available within the state.

"Goa has a firm preparing tomato ketchup but there are notomatoes growing in the state," Kurade said giving an example.

As per GCCI figures, Goa has 5,000 small units and 300big time firms in the food processing sector spread across thestate.

Kurade said everything right from chocolates, mineralwater, soft drinks, sea food products, marine products isprocessed in the state.

The national seminar is being organised in collaborationwith Goa Directorate of Food and Drug administration,Department of Industries, Trade and Commerce, Department ofTourism and Goa Tourism Development Corporation Limited.

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