Bihar CM calls for investment in food processing

Patna: Mentioning his dream of "one food item from Bihar in every Indian's plate", Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday exhorted entrepreneurs to establish food processing units in the state and promised all help, including subsidies to them. "My dream is to have one food item from Bihar in every Indian's plate. There are huge possibilities in food processing sector here. Entrepreneurs should consider setting up industries here. We will provide all help. We also have plans to provide subsidies in this sector," Kumar said.

The Bihar chief minister was speaking at 'Agriculture and Food Processing conclave' organised by ASSOCHAM and the state

government. He rooted for food processing units saying better processing will cut down wastage of agricultural produce, add value to production, raise income of farmers and generate employment. He added that 76 per cent of Bihar's population was dependent on agriculture. The population is increasing, but on the other hand, agricultural productivity was also going up due to state government's policies, as well as, a 10-year agriculture road map.

"In this scenario, food processing industries will also lead to better development of agriculture. The state is blessed with fertile soil, good climate, availability of water and hard working people. Food processing units will not have any shortage of primary products," he said. Kumar, however, said that food processing should be of "good quality" and efforts should be made to develop brands in this regard.

Pointing out the need for food processing units, Kumar said all the maize from Bihar was going outside for processing and returning as poultry feed, which people buy here. He also said there were many possibilities with regard to food processing in litchi, mangoes, betel, rice and several other crops.

The chief minister said seed replacement taken up by the state government has led to a big jump in productivity, as well as, overall production in various crops. The comprehensive agriculture roadmap was focusing on increasing the income of farmers, storage facilities, processing and marketing.