MP agro meet promises a windfall

Despite MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's tough announcements against industry in general and meat processors in particular, the state witnessed 89 corporate houses promising a combined investment of Rs 6,896 crore in the years to come during the Agri Business Meet, concluded here yesterday.

Reliance Industries signed no deal with the state government on the occasion. The big investment, which came in jatropha plantations, will be of no help to farmers or propel growth of domestic products in the primary sector.

"I will not allow meat processing in the state," Chouhan said adding, "companies have alternative options like seed processing, food processing etc."

Although the agri-business meet did not fetch expected result in agri business instead negative list firms joined hands with the State government.

For example Ruchi Soya Industries and Mishan Biofuels India Pvt Ltd has inked a deal for Rs 1000 crore and Rs 500 crore respectively for investment in Japtropha plantation.

Interestingly two companies namely India Biofuels, and Cosmo Biofuels are running from pillar to post for land allotment on lease basis for jatropha plantation in Chambal region.

"In absence of properly arranged land records or land bank it would a tough task for the state government to see the results from the MoU," said a government insider.

Further the 'Saffron' supporter and animal lover chief minister witnessed signing of two other deals of Rs 400 crore each with New Delhi based Hind Agro and Daisy Agrotech for animal rearing and fat cheese plants respectively.

As many as 50 companies signed MoUs for less than Rs 5 crore for a combined investment of Rs 200 crore. State agriculture department has farmed a committee to pursue investors from Monday onward.

"Earlier too, on various occasions MoUs are signed and bureaucracy does not allow them to take shape. Industrialists have to run in the state to get things in their ways. A committee will sort out these issues," Chouhan admitted.

The meet also skipped a "Food Processing policy". The draft, according to government sources, was ready but could not be introduced for unknown reasons.

At present Industry Policy has few provisions for food processing in the state as a food processors shy away from Madhya Pradesh despite it has six food parks with necessary infrastructure.

Further the state government remained silent on leasing out its mega 3000 acre Babai farm (in Hoshangabad district) and leasing other 42 agri farms managed and owned by State Seed Corporation.