The state government has sent a proposal to the Union ministry of food processing industries (MoFPI) for establishing two food testing laboratories in the state to give a boost to the processed food sector.
The directorate of export promotion and marketing (DEPM), Odisha has prepared an initial project report, containing scope of testing items and list of machines needed for the two labs to be set up at Cuttack and Berhampur. The new centres will be housed at the testing facilities of DEPM at Cuttack and Berhampur. The cost of the two labs is estimated at Rs 7.37 crore.
The testing to be done at the two centres are milk powder and skimmed milk powder, Indian curry powder, wheat atta, biscuits, carbonated drinks, honey and black pepper among others.
DEPM has six testing labs located at Cuttack, Bolangir, Balasore, Angul, Berhampur and Rourkela. However, none of the testing centres have the facilities to test the processed food items. Sources said, as many as 32 food processing industries in the state have gone into production in 2014-15 financed under the National Mission on Food Processing.
"The proposed food testing labs at Cuttack and Berhampur is pivotal as the state government has already put in place an Odisha Food Processing Policy-2013. The testing facilities will also encourage entrepreneurship in the food processing sector," said a DEPM official. In addition, the processed food manufacturers do not have to travel to other states for getting their products tested, he added.
Officials said, the testing centres assume significance as the state government is in the process of setting up of more food parks in the state. Recently, the state government has decided to set up 20 new agro/food processing parks.
Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco) was asked to prepare techno-feasibility report for 15 mega food parks. The Odisha Small Industries Corporation (OSIC) will undertake the task for five parks.
The MITS mega food park is in the process of implementation in Rayagada district while the Huma Mega Coastal Food Park in Ganjam district, which was to be developed under the Mega Food Parks Scheme was rejected by the Centre recently.
