The Tamil Nadu government is keen to develop the food processing industry in the state, a top official said in Chennai on Saturday. Describing food processing as a "sunrise industry", state Chief Secretary L.K. Tripathy said the state government was doing its bit to develop the sector.
"Agro processing clusters will be promoted in the state," said Tripathy, citing the government's new industrial policy at the seventh Foodpro, a food processing and food technology event held by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here."We would like to bring the farmer and the end consumer to one forum so that they benefit. The setting up of uzhavar sandai (farmer's market) is one such initiative of the Tamil Nadu government," he told the media after inaugurating the event.
He said the investor response to the Nilakottai Food Park in Tamil Nadu was good.
At a time when corporate retail chains are facing stiff opposition and their outlets are being ransacked in some parts of India, Tamil Nadu has witnessed no such incident.
"Organised retail does not pose a problem here. Our objective is to see that the farmer gets higher realisation for his produce," said Tripathy.
According to Surjit K. Chaudhry, secretary agriculture, the government is focussed on reaping the full benefit of soil and water resources by propagating right cropping pattern amongst the state farmers.
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He said there are around 120 exhibitors this time. There will be a two-day conference on the theme "Driving the Next Agri Revolution" from Monday, which will be inaugurated by Subodh Kant Sahai, union minister of state for food processing industries.
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Source-IANS
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