The Tamil Nadu Government will make farmers stakeholders in food processing industry to ensure inclusive growth, said Sandeep Saxena, Commissioner and Principal Secretary, State Agricultural Department.
Delivering the inaugural address at the Foodpro 2013, a conference on ‘Technologies for value-added food product development’, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry, he said the Government can act as a facilitator between growers and the food processing industry.
The10th edition of the 3-day Indian Food Processing and Food Technology Fair was inaugurated by S. Damodaran, Tamil Nadu Minister for Agriculture.
Piruz Khambatta, Chairman, CII National Committee on Food Processing and CMD of Rasna Pvt Ltd said, “Food processing sector has become a catalyst for the development of Indian agriculture and is of enormous significance to development.” Food processing is one of the key industry sectors which would ensure inclusive growth, he added. Navas Meeran, Deputy Chairman, CII (SR) & Managing Director, Eastern Condiments Pvt Ltd, emphasised the need for India to create a brand for itself in the agro and food processing industry. He said, “private sector can play an instrumental role in promoting the food processing industry. With FDI flowing into the retail business, cold chain facility is poised to get a shot-in-the-arm. There is certainly an opportunity for India to create a brand in the agro and food processing industry.”
Michael Carter, Trade Commissioner, Australian Trade Commission, said, “India and Australia’s bilateral trade relationships have been growing from strength to strength. Australia has a strategic intention for direct collaboration with Tamil Nadu in fishing, aquaculture, dairy farming and horticulture. Australia’s expertise in food processing and related technologies could provide the much needed impetus in building India’s capability in the food processing sector, he added.