Horticulture and Food Processing Minister Kusum Mahdele has directed to chalk out an action plan to develop Babai Farm as Food Park and other activities. Minister Kusum Mahdele was chairing meeting of Agro’s Board of Directors here on Monday. Principal Secretary Horticulture Praveer Krishna and Principal Secretary and Corporation’s MD SK Mishra were also present.
Mahdele said that a detailed report should be chalked out for Food Park and food processing units at Babai Farm during Kharif instead of paddy crop and present the same at next meeting of the board.
She said that apart from sanctioning shifting of Badi-based nutrition plant to Indrapuri, Bhopal, a separate proposal should be made to take decision about Badi plant which will continue to function till its shifting.
Mahdele directed to expand horticulture activities in remaining parts of Madhya Pradesh. She directed to improve condition of horticulture farms and nurseries, plant saplings and post chowkidars immediately.
Existing farms/nurseries should be developed as model.
She said that officers should undertake field visits and submit their repots regarding expansion of horticulture activities. She said that food processing units should be set up in the areas where production of vegetables and fruits is higher.
Food processing-based industries should be set up in the non-horticulture areas of the state.
SK Mishra informed the meeting that the corporation earned `48.l0 crore during year 2014-15. Profit to the tune of `57.08 crore that is 3.6 per cent more is expected during year 2015-16. This year target of `1558.50 crore was set, of which transactions worth `424.45 crore have been made so far, which amounts to 27.23 per cent. He informed that the corporation’s turnover was `1259.22 crore which was 90 per cent of the target of `1394.96 crore. He informed that process is on to develop Babai as a Model Farm. Information about farms tracking system was also given at the meeting.