Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that farmers are not able to get adequate price for their crops due to abundant production of agro-horticultural produce. Therefore, it is necessary to promote food processing in the state. This will add value to crops. Both farmers and production units will be benefited. In this way, India can become a world leader in food processing.
The Union minister was addressing the interactive session organised on Seed to Self in Launching Investment Opportunity in MP Agri Food and Dairy Sector in GIS-2025 on Tuesday. He said that the Government of India has made export duty on rice zero. Along with this, the import duty on oil has been increased to 27 per cent. Food processing units of the country will benefit from this. The country is leading in tomato, pea, onion, garlic, chilli, wheat and rice production under horticultural crops, union minister added.
‘Special crop-based clusters selected’ Anupam Rajan, Principal Secretary
Horticulture and Food Processing said, ‘Special crop-based clusters have been selected with the support of the Government of India. For example, clusters of chilli in Nimar, coriander in Guna-Rajgarh, ginger in Bundelkhand, turmeric in Baghelkhand, banana in Burhanpur, peas, potato in Jabalpur, Dewas and Indore have been selected.’ he said.
Continuing, ‘For this, a provision of Rs 500 crore has been made by the Central government in which the state government will invest a proportionate amount. Units worth Rs 930 crore are being set up by small entrepreneurs under Pradhan Mantri Micro Food Upgradation Scheme.’
