PHDCCI for foreign tie-ups in farm sector

The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry yestersday urged the government to encourage 'foreign cooperation' and facilitate technical collaboration with countries like Brazil and Mexico for the overall growth of the agriculture sector.

India should emphasise on developing newer plant varieties to reduce water usage and plant diseases, a chamber release said here.

Technical collaboration with countries like Israel and Mexico, with known expertise in these areas, would enable the country to reduce post harvest losses that account for 25-40 per cent of the total food production amounting to Rs 30,000 crore.

PHDCCI suggested that the government come up with re-engineered food processing policy for integrating development of agriculture, food processing and export.

"To tap new markets and to increase country's share in the existing markets, action on priority basis is required in areas like quality, variety and pricing," it added.