Don't want to miss the best from Business Standard?
Calling for a pioneering revolution in the food processing sector in the state, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today sought the support of Union Food Processing Ministry for formulating a "Comprehensive Action Plan" to achieve the goal.
Interacting with a high-level team of Union Food Processing Ministry here, Badal noted that the Ministry along with the state government should formulate an ambitious plan within a month so that a big push could be given to the food processing sector in the state.
He said that the hard working and resilient farmers of the state have led the country's Green Revolution (foodgrain production), White Revolution (milk production) and Blue Revolution (fish production) and now it was time their indomitable spirit of entrepreneurship was channelized in the food processing sector.
The Chief Minister said the Punjabi farmers made the state a leader in foodgrains production but it has reached a point of saturation.
In such a scenario, processing of foodgrains, meat, fish, milk, fruits, vegetables and other could do wonders in supplementing the income of farmers, he said.
"I firmly believe that food processing is the panacea of all ills faced by the farmers," he said.
The Chief Minister urged the representatives of the Union Food Processing Ministry to open demonstration-cum-training centres across the state to encourage farmers to take up food processing.
He said that these centres that will exhibit the techniques, ways and finished products, would act as a catalyst in making food processing a mass movement in the state.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also gave his nod for a tie-up between Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University and National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) for introduction of several courses in food processing.
To further boost the food processing sector in the state, he asked NIFTEM to explore the feasibility of setting up dedicated training centres for milk, fruits and vegetables, honey, fish and meat processing by becoming a technical knowledge partner of the state.
During the meeting, it was decided that 200 programmes would be held across the state from February to November at a cost of Rs 18 crore to impart highly skilled training to farmers.
Terming the AAP as a "bunch of unprincipled leaders",
Badal reiterated that due to the ongoing "tug of war" in the party, it would "vanish" from the political arena of the state before the 2017 assembly elections.
"What else can be the fate of the party whose leaders are making beeline to quit the party formed about two years ago. It is a clear indication that this house of cards will crumble soon," he claimed.
On the occasion, he listed the major initiatives taken by the state government for various sections of the society.
Later on interacting with reporters, Badal termed the Uri terror attack as an "attack on sovereignty and integrity of the country".
He said the entire country must unite against such attacks.
Replying to another question, the Chief Minister said there was no move regarding the appointment of new SGPC chief.
He said after the recent judgment by Supreme Court on Sehajdari issue, the Union government would issue notification for the new house of SGPC after which the meeting of apex Sikh religious body (SGPC) would take place.
