In order to promote Commercial Agri Enterprises (CAEs), the State Government is mulling a Single Window Clearance Authority to help agricultural entrepreneurs.
While there is a Single Window Clearance Authority for industrial projects, similar facilities are not available for agricultural enterprises. Though the Government has set up the APICOl on the lines of IPICOl, such clearances are not made available through the APICOl.
So, it has been mooted that single-window clearance of all CAEs are to be given green signal by an authority headed by the Agriculture Production Commissioner (APC).
Besides, creation of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for priority financing in the agri business sector is also harped on as commercial banks are shying away to finance commercial agricultural enterprises in general and the food processing sector in particular.
APC Gagan Kumar Dhal chaired a meeting held here on Thursday to make efforts to promote food processing industries.
MSME Principal Secretary laxmi Narayan Gupta, Agriculture Principal Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Agriculture Director Hari Ballav Mishra, Horticulture Director Srikant Prusty and APICOl Managing Director SS Dey attended the meeting.
A detailed discussion was held as to how APICOl, MSME and National Mission Food Processing (NMFP) would work cohesively for promoting food processing units.
Similarly, there are policies on agriculture, food processing, industry and MSME development, which are needed to be converged in such way that it would help entrepreneurs reap benefits announced by the State Government. As there are a number of differences in the policy interventions, desired results are not achieved now, admitted officials.
Neighbouring Andhra Pradesh has taken convergence of various policies for promoting agri enterprises, for which major investments in the food processing sector is percolating in that State, it was pointed out.
While there is huge potential in Odisha for investment in food processing in cereals, millets, pulses, oilseeds, spices, sugarcane and fruits and vegetables, these are needed to be tapped.
During its last 16 years of existence, the APICOl has promoted 4,799 CAEs with an investment of Rs 153.42 crore. However, much more investments would be roped in as there is a huge potential in the food processing sector with convergence of policies and reforms in the APICOl, pointed out experts.
To facilitate agro-based food industries, use of Government land including agriculture farms is needed to be given on long-term lease basis at concessional rates.
linkage of agri entrepreneurs to markets and market facilitation are needed with the OASM Board, Municipal Corporations and Urban local Bodies for creating necessary support, it was felt. A special investment cell at the APICOl and adequate manpower deployment are also needed for promoting such activities, pointed out experts.
Besides, creation of branding in food processing is required, and sales promotion both at national and international levels would help the agri entrepreneurs, it was felt.