Food map will help investors find right locations: Harsimrat Kaur Badal

AHMEDABAD: Union Minister for food processing industry Harsimrat Kaur Badal today said her ministry had created a district-wise 'food-map' to help investors find best locations to set up plants.

Speaking at industry body ASSOCHAM's sixth international summit on food processing, agri-business and dairy here, Badal said, "When I took over as the minister, data about which food item is grown in a particular area was not available.

This was necessary to cater to the international players who want to set up processing plants here. For example, it will help those who want to set up a plant for mango pulp or orange juice," said Badal.

The map had been uploaded on the website of the ministry, she said.

"We are also working on uploading rules and regulations about food processing in each state. Through the portal the investors can also find out where to get loans or who to approach for approvals, etc," said Badal.

"We have also created a help desk in our ministry to handle international queries. All these initiatives will work as one-stop solution for investors. We have already received 25 queries from international players," she said.

Badal also appreciated 'Gujarat model' of agriculture and said her ministry may adopt some of the initiatives.

"Our goal is to take the food processing to farmers' doorstep. I appreciate Gujarat for taking many initiatives in this regard, such as soil testing, Krishi Mahotsav and reforms in APMC Act, where the state has allowed farmers to set-up private markets. We can adopt these initiatives for implementing them on a larger scale," said Badal.