"Only two mega food parks became operational between 2009 and 2014 whereas six mega food parks became operational between 2014 and 2017 likewise 42 mega food parks will become operational by 2019," said Sadhvi Jyoti, inaugurating an ASSOCHAM national conference on cold chain.
Highlighting the fact the government has sanctioned 63 cold chain projects since 2014, she said, "We have received 300 proposals for setting up new cold chain projects, which shows that industry across India is taking an interest in the food processing sector as we have received many applications from north-eastern states like Nagaland, Manipur and others."
While the government is working at a rapid pace on the development of the food processing sector, the industry should impart training to the farmer to take utmost care of quality of produce.
Sadhvi Jyoti said she had suggested her ministry provides storage facilities for perishable products in the market itself, as it does for wheat and rice, so that farmers can take it to the desired place later. "I hope this suggestion will be considered by the cabinet."
Talking about her recent meeting with UP chief minister, Yogi Aditya Nath, she said, "We and the state government will ensure that land, power, safety and all sorts of facilities will be provided to industrialists willing to set up food parks in the state."
She said that she was surprised to note that there was not even a single food park in such a huge state which is equivalent to the size of a country.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
