Ktaka assures full support for investors in food processing

Inviting companies to invest in Karnataka's food processing sector, state industry ministry R V Deshpande today assured of full support to set up new businesses and start-ups that could help boost farmers income.
The state has investor-friendly policies, talent pool and easy access to raw materials and the government is ready to even amend laws, if needed, to provide better facilities to establish businesses having potential to create jobs, he said.
"I assure you, we will go out of our way to support you. Now, the ball is in your court. If you have proposals right now, we are ready to clear them immediately. We have a transparent and single window clearance system," Deshpande told investors present at the ongoing three-day global food event organised by Union Food Processing Ministry.

More investment is needed in agriculture sector as it is the backbone of India's economy. More value-addition in agriculture is the need of the hour, he added.
Highlighting the opportunities Karnataka offers unlike other states, state agriculture minister Krishan Byre Gowda said the state offers competitive and diversified input supply with the advantage of ten agro-climatic zones.
Not only agri-commodities, but also dairy, fishery and poultry sector offers huge opportunities for investment. Besides the state has huge consumer base, he said, adding that one can look at investing in millets and organic foods.
Also, the state not only has policies to support big players but also start-up firms. The state is first to integrate 150 mandis on a single online platform, which helps companies to source raw material without any hazzle, he added.

ITC Ltd Divisional Chief Executive (foods) Hemant Malik, MTR Foods Ltd CEO Sanjay Sharma, Cargill Foods India Head Siraj Chaudhry, Future Consumer CEO (food parks) Sanjay Malpani spoke about investor friendly environment that the state offers and committed to continue their investment out there.