Efforts on to set up mega, mini food parks in TN: Union

The Ministry of Food Processing has launched three of the 12 schemes announced for Tamil Nadu and efforts were on to set up mini and mega food parks in the State, Union Minister Rameswar Teli said on Friday.

The Minister of State for Food Processing Industries was here to take part in the inauguration of three-day FOODPRO 2019 organised by trade body CII.

Teli said the Ministry launched several schemes for the benefit of the sector and three schemes of the 12 announced were completed in Tamil Nadu.

Efforts are on to create mega and mini food parks in the State with the allocation of land measuring 50 acre and 10 acres respectively, he said in a press release.

In his address, Tamil Nadu Minister for food and civil supplies, R Kamaraj said the state government has set aside Rs 482 crore in the form of various schemes to benefit the farming community.

Tamil Nadu showed the way to others in terms of creating food security to the people through the public distribution system, he said.

Governor Banwarilal Purohit, who inaugurated the conference said the State's contribution to the country's food processing output was about seven per cent.

"The State government has recently announced its food processing policy. The government is committed to support the growth of food processing industry", he said.

CII Southern Region Chairman, Sanjay Jayavarthanavelu said food processing industry needs to focus on capacity building initiatives and skill development to gain a competitive advantage globally.