Union Food Processing Industries ministry offers 60 cr to Goa

Union Food Processing Industries ministry has offered Goa financial assistance to the tune of Rs 60 crore for various projects including a mega food park, food testing laboratories, cold chain and food technology courses.        

"The centre is ready to give Rs 50 crore financial assistance for the mega food park and Rs 10 crore for cold chain project for marine processing," Union Food Processing Industries Minister Subodh Kant Sahai told reporters here yesterday.        

He said the new scheme of mega food parks in the country envisages well defined agri-horticultural processing zones containing state-of-the art facilities with supporting infrastructure and a supply chain.        

The Minister said the proposed scheme aims to provide a mechanism to bring together farmers, processors and retailers and link agricultural production to the market so as to ensure maximisation of value addition, minimise wastages and improve farmers' income.        

"The parks will function as sourcing hubs for retail outlets," he said.        

The Minister has asked the Goa administration to identify places for two food promotion training centres which will be given an assistance of Rs 15 lakh each.