No applicants for food testing laboratories from Orissa

Though there is scope for setting up of food testing laboratories (FTL), badly needed for the development of the food processing industries in Orissa, there was no application either from the state government or private entrepreneurs for this purpose.

“The ministry is providing 100 percent grant to the Central and the state governments and their organisations for setting up of food testing laboratories (FTL). Other agencies and private sector are also eligible for grant-in -aid of 50 percent of the cost of laboratory equipments and 25 percent of the cost of technical civil works. However, there was no application from Orissa”, K Rajeswar Rao, joint secretary, Union ministry of food processing industries (MoFPI), said here.

Speaking in the inaugural session of the seminar on ‘Export prospects of agro and processed food products of Orissa”, Rao said, food testing laboratories are the only way to ensure safety and quality of food products by the regulatory authorities. This is the right time for the state to move in this direction.

Urging the state government to have a separate food processing policy, he said, this sector is now growing at a rate of 14 percent.

He said bout Rs 1 lakh crore is proposed to be invested in this sector during the 11th plan period. Stating that per crore employment potential is about 85, he urged the Orissa government to focus on the development of food processing industries in the state over next two years.

Though Orissa is a tradition based state and there may not be a huge market for the processed food here, the state can tap the rising demand for processed food among the 300 million middle and high income families across the country. It is estimated that by 2010, 200 million more consumers will shift to processed food. On the issue of mega-food park proposal sent by the Orissa government, Rao said, 10 such parks have already been sanctioned by the Centre. Twenty more mega foodparks are proposed to be approved by the cabinet next year and Orissa has good chance to get a few.

Asit Tripathy, chairman and the managing director, (CMD), Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) said, his organization will work closely with the Orissa government. The state government should focus on accessing Central funds, organise roadshows outside to attract investors to this sector and develop a synergy between various government departments associated with this sector.

Development of supply chain in an organised manner, ensuring safety of the food items, marketing of the products, development of logistics and adopting and encouraging contract farming methods by the state government can help, he added.