ASSOCHAM for balanced growth of heavy, agro industries

Orissa has ample scope for the development of agriculture and agro-based industries and the state should keep a balance between the growth of heavy industries and sunrise industries like food processing to achieve inclusive growth.

This was stated by Dr Swati Piramal, president, Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) here today.

Addressing the inaugural session of the ‘Agri and food processors’ conclave’ organised jointly by the Orissa government and ASSOCHAM on the eve of the celebration of the entreprenuership week, Piramal said, foreign direct investment (FDI) has created new growth impetus for the food processing industry in the country.

Though agriculture is the major contributor to the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of the state, only 5 percent of the produced food items in Orissa is processed. In this context, the state government should put in money in innovative technologies which would lift millions of people from poverty.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister Naveen Patnaik said, agriculture is the backbone of Orissa’s economy and seventy percent of the people earn livelihood from agriculture and allied sectors.

Although Orissa is one of the large producers of various agricultural products, the state is yet to achieve significant growth in agro-based and food processing sector.

Patnaik said, realising the potential in this sector, the state government has taken various policy measures to catalyse the growth of such industries. The Industrial Policy Resolution (IPR)-2007 recognises agro-processing industries as a thrust area and provides various incentives.

The state government is giving importance to the development of food processing industries in the state and is in the process of finalising a new food processing policy.

Stating that the government is keen on creation of more and more opportunities for employment, Patnaik said, the process of industrialisation must be steered in such a manner so as to create maximum employment opportunities for the people.

Industry minister, Raghunath Mohanty, said, out of 43,000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs), 23,000 units belong to the food processing sector. About Rs 1000 crore has been invested by these units and they have provided employment to about 1,20,000 persons.

Chief secretary, T K Mishra, members of parliament, Pyari Mohan Mohapatra and Prasanna Patsani, industry secretary, Saurabh Garg and secretary general, ASSOCHAM, D S Rawat were present on the occasion.