In an attempt to boost the food processing sector in Orissa, the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Assocham) is likely to rope in United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (Unido) for the adoption of two clusters in two districts.
The industry body has already identified two districts each in Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal and Bihar for setting up of clusters for food and agro-processing in association with UNIDO, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Food Processing and respective state governments.
“Assocham cluster development foundation in collaboration with the state government has proposed to adopt two districts for setting up food and agri processing clusters on the lines of initiatives taken in West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir and Bihar with supports from UNIDO and Government of India,” said DS Rawat, National Secretary General while addressing the media persons here.
The industry body on Tuesday released a study report titled Orissa: A Rising Investment Destination for Agro and Food Processing. UNIDO will train 4,000 to 5,000 farmers in each state at its own expense and all the farmers will be provided market linkage. Similarly the UN organization will provide funds for the value addition.
Rawat said, Orissa is behind only three states- Gujarat, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh in attracting investments in food processing. “The food processing sector is likely to grow by Rs 13 lakh crore in next three years from Rs 9 lakh crore presently. The share of Orissa is 4.5 per cent and has the potential to grow by 10 per cent,” added Rawat.
It may be noted that Assocham will be organizing a Food Processing Investment Summit on market development and business opportunities to woo the investors into the state.
