Call for better cold storage management

While the state registers a 16 per cent growth in the agriculture sector, Gujarat needs to improve on cold management.

Experts say there is a need for better cold storage management if the state wants to strengthen its food processing industry.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the fourth international convention and exhibition on agro and food processing Industry organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), SC Srivastava, managing director of Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation Ltd, said, "Gujarat has been at the helm of agriculture development in the country in recent times. The state's agriculture sector is growing at 16 per cent, more than the national rate, yet the cold storage management is poor. If Gujarat needs to revolutionise its food processing industry, it will be required to set up cold storage management infrastructure."

Srivastava added that the state government had already begun preparing a draft code for cold storage management.

Calling for more investment in the food processing industry, Piruz Khambatta, chairman, CII National Committee on Food and Food Processing, said, "What IT revolution has done to urban India, food processing can do to rural India. Through value-addition to the produce, the industry will provide better prices to farmers."

V Prakash, director, Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), said the Amul success story of value-addition needed to be replicated by others.

"Amul has set an example in food processing and prudent use of food technology. Other co-operatives should emulate it and globalise our Indian products," he said.