he State Government on Thursday announced a policy for the food processing sector that promises 25 per cent subsidy excluding land cost for mega food park developers with a subsidy cap of ` 15 crore.
For small food park developers, the policy allows 25 per cent capital investment subsidy with a cap of ` two crore. The policy also envisages 33 per cent subsidy for food parks in the economically backward KBK (Kalahandi-Bolangir-Koraput) region and projects promoted by women entrepreneurs and people from scheduled categories.
“The aim of policy is to reduce waste of farm produce thereby increasing income of farmers and maximising employment opportunities in food processing sector,” Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Damodar Rout told mediapersons here.
The policy in conjunction with the Industrial Policy Resolution (IPR),2007 and MSME development policy, 2009 emphasises on development of infrastructure and supply chain from farm to market in rural areas with various fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to promoters.
Agriculture being the principal vocation of majority of population and the State having a long coast, there is ample opportunities for developing food park for farm produce and sea food, the Minister said.
Agriculture education research institute including skilled development agencies will be encouraged to design specific programmes for food processing sector with focus on plucking, grading and storing.
Claiming that the State has received a string of investment proposals, the Minister said the food processing sector will enjoy five per cent interest subsidy for five years and VAT (valued added tax) waiver for 10 years.
Official sources said proposals have come from ITC, Parle Agro, Indo Nissin Foods Limited, Future Foods and Nestle.
Agro processing and food processing units shall be encouraged to adopt latest quality certification standards like Hazard Analysis and Critical Control points (HACCP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), ISO 9000, Agmark, FPO, Good Laboratory practices (GLP), Total Quality Management (TQM). The Government will reimburse upto 50 per cent of the cost of such certification subject to ceiling of ` 2 lakh.
Meanwhile, two mega food parks have come up in Rayagda district and Huma in Ganjam district.
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