Govt seeks suggestions from stakeholders
AGRI BIZ POLICY
With a view to coming out with a comprehensive agri policy, Gujarat government has invited suggestions on the Agri Business Policy-2008 from various stakeholders.
A draft policy was today discussed with different players including farmers, co-operative societies and corporate firms so that the proposed policy could be made all inclusive.
"The draft of the proposed policy has been posted on the website of Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation Ltd (GAIC) and the stakeholders are requested to submit their suggestions and views to GAIC within 10 days. The draft put on GAIC's website is not the final one and the policy would be finalised only after taking the suggestions of stakeholders into consideration," Gujarat state agriculture minister Dilip Sanghani said while addressing the gathering at Ahmedabad.
Constant efforts of the state government have resulted into increased agriculture output in the state. However, there is a need to promote value addition in agriculture sector, he added.
The new policy proposed incentives to dairy sector and edible oil extraction. In order to attract large projects in food processing sector, the policy provides for additional subsidy at the rate of 50 per cent of the cost of infrastructure for mega projects having capital investment above Rs. 40 crore. Apart from this, 6 per cent subsidy would also be offered for such projects.
The incentives would be given to projects to be set up in non-GIDC area or projects to be executed on the basis on public-private partnerships (PPP), special purpose vehicle and joint venture.
Until now, 25 per cent assistance with a ceiling of Rs. 10 lakh was offered to a single unit for exports of mangoes, tomatoes and vegetables from Ahmedabad airport only.
However, the new policy will provide maximum of Rs. 25 lakh assistance for exporting fruits and vegetables either through air or sea route.