Govt plans smaller clusters for food processing industry

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries is reportedly exploring the potential and possibility of developing agro processing clusters in smaller areas of 25-30 acres. Taking first step in this direction, the Ministry had organised a national consultation on ‘Development of agro processing clusters’ in New Delhi recently.
 
Speaking on the occasion, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Minister of Food Processing Industries, said reduction in the area required for setting up agro processing clusters could enable spread of food processing industry to smaller cities and towns. She said the government was committed to expansion of food processing so that farmers could get maximum value for their produce while consumers could get a wider choice.
 
The representative of the MSME, APEDA, State Industrial Development Corporations of Haryana, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, State Government Representatives from West Bengal and Tamil Nadu and representatives from apex industry organisations like FICCI, CII, ASSOCHAM, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Indian Food Processing Associations participated in the consultation. Based on the viewpoints of different stake holders in the consultation, the Ministry of Food Processing would take for the further steps in for development of agro processing clusters by reducing the requirement of area required for the purpose.