Orissa soon to come out with food processing policy

BHUBANESWAR: Orissa will soon announce “State Food Processing Policy” to tap its agri and food processing secor potentials.

Inaugurating a “Agri and Food Processors Conclave” organized by Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India [ASSOCHAM]- Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Orissa Ltd [IPICOL] in the backdrop of 6th Entrepreneurs Week 2010 here on Friday, chief minister, Naveen Patnaik said a draft State Food Processing Policy has been circulated among all stakeholders for their comments after which it would be finalized.

Mr Patnaik, however, lamented that despite the state having 10 agro climate zones, it has yet to achieve significant growth in the agro industries and processed food sector.

“Keeping in view the conducive business environment and vast potential in agro and food processing industries, there is a need to build on Orissa’s competitiveness and identify critical success factors and issues”, Mr Patnaik added.

The chief minister further also disclosed that the state government will set up more Agro Climate Zones for cultivation of a wide range of agriculture products including variety of fruits and vegetables, food grains, oilseeds, spices etc.

At present, there are about 23,000 agri and food processing small and medium enterprises [SMEs] in the state generating over 1.2 lakh employment opportunities with an investment of Rs.1,000 crore, according to industries, steel and mines minister, Raghunath Mohanty.

Delivering his keynote address the minister further clarified that the state has over 43,000 SMEs in various segments and out of it, there are 23,000 agri and food processing SMEs currently operating.

The Minister further added that the his government has given enough emphasis to the agri and food processing sector in policies such as IPR 2007, MSME 2009 and Rehabilitation & Resettlement (RR) Policy.

Assocham President, Dr. Swati Piramal said that agri and food processing sector in the State needs more investment for technological upgrdation and research and development to cultivate vast potential. She also said that the share of India’s share in world food trade is a meager 1.5% compared to US, EU and Asian countries.