Union Minister of Food Processing Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Monday said that the government is going to sanction the setting up of 17 mega food parks to boost preservation of perishable food items and to control inflation.
Array
Array
Over 18 percent of 250 million tonnes of fruits and vegetables produced in the country are wasted due to lack of cold storages and poor post-harvesting technology while only three percent of food and vegetables is processed.
Array
Array
"We are going to be sanctioning 17 more (mega food parks) for which people have applied. So, that is the reason they have not come up because it takes time to put up a mega food park, two years is the time given," Badal said.
Array
Array
The government would also develop a food map to indicate the specific crop growing areas in the country to help the investors in the sector.
Array
Array
Badal said the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in fruits and vegetables sector would help in preservation - a proposal contrary to government's stand.
Array
Array
"FDI is a policy of the government. It is not something which I can decide. It is a cabinet decision, which will take place. But you know our government's stand as far FDI in retail is concerned. There is no doubt that in fruits and vegetables it would benefit because cold chains and infrastructure would come up," she added.
