Assam to set up primary processing centres at sourcing points

The Assam government is working on a proposal to set up Primary Processing Centres (PPC) at sourcing points, Additional Chief Secretary to Assam's Department of Industries and Commerce Ravi Capoor said here today.

"These centres will be a major attraction for prospective investors as the state has an advantage in at least 8-10 key products such as bay leaf, banana, oranges and finest turmeric," Capoor said at the Food Processing Conclave organized by CII in association with the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MOFPI).

He also expressed confidence that the conclave will help facilitate market linkages between farmer producer companies and retail chain and big corporates.

Agriculture Production Commissioner K K Mittal said that new policies will encourage prospective investors to put their money in the north eastern region.

Neelima Dwivedi, vice president (Public Policy, Govt Affairs and Sustainability, India Region), Pepsico India Holding Private Ltd said that given the surging demand for processed foods, there is a tremendous opportunity for growth in the sector.

Currently, less than 4 per cent of Indias agricultural produces is processed, while in countries such as Brazil, China and Indonesia, the percentages are 70, 23 and 50, respectively, she said.

Low yield, inadequate infrastructure and absence of market linkages for farmers are the major impediments to growth of the sector, Dwivedi added.

The conclave, 'Focus Assam -- the Future Food Basket of India' saw deliberations in two technical sessions on value addition and technology intervention and central and state government schemes and market linkage.