Action plan for the industry under preparation
An action plan for the development of food processing industry in the state is under preparation. It would be submitted to the chief minister, Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, at a review meeting to be held on August 18, according to minister for industries, commerce, export promotion and food processing, Kanna Lakshmi Narayana.
The minister stated in a press release that consultation meetings would be held at various levels seeking inputs for the formulation of the food processing policy to be implemented from April 1, 2010. A national level workshop would also be conducted in this connection with the help of the Centre.
According to the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci), the food processing industry in the state is growing at 7 per cent per annum and many segments in this sector are expected to record high growth rates in the next five years. The growth estimates for various products are branded flour (atta) 16 per cent, bakery items 11 per cent, biscuits 16 per cent, fruit juices, pulp and concentrates 18 per cent and ketchups 17 per cent.
A much higher growth rate has been projected for semi processed and ready-to-eat foods at 24 per cent, ice cream 30 per cent, wine 22 per cent and sugar at 25 per cent.
