India to become largest food processing nation: Badal

The government is aiming to make India the largest food processing hub in the world, Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal said today.
Addressing the Food Conclave here organised by the CII, Badal said the government has recently allocated remaining 17 food parks out of the total sanctioned 42 Mega Food Parks.
Besides, the Centre has also set up a special fund of Rs 2,000 crore for providing finance to the small units to be set up under these food parks, Badal said.
"...Much of the wastage in India takes place at the farming, harvesting and storage levels unlike in the West where it takes place on the plate. Vision of the government is to ensure that India graduates from being the largest producer of food to processor of food," Badal said.

Emphasising on the role of food processing sector in the country, Rasna Chairman and Managing Director Piruz Khambatta said during the past 5 years (ending 2012-13), the sector grew at 8.4 per cent compared to 3.3 per cent agricultural growth and 6.6 per cent manufacturing growth.
"Given the huge production base of the country, the sector is very well positioned to elevate the agricultural economy, raise farmer incomes, and generate employment," Khambatta said.

In March this year, Food Processing Ministry had allocated 17 mega food parks across the country to state governments and private firms, including Adani Ports & SEZ, envisaging an investment of over Rs 6,000 crore.

A mega food park provides various facilities to food processors, farmers, retailers and exporters, helping achieve faster growth of food processing industries.
The total projected cost to set up these 17 mega food parks would be Rs 2,030 crore, of which the central grant would be Rs 850 crore.