The Anil Agarwal Foundation in collaboration with the Odisha Industries’ Federation organised a one-day workshop-cum-exhibition on ‘Food Processing Technologies’ here on Friday.
MSME Minister Jogendra Behera, who was the chief guest, said, “The MSME sector is a key growth driver for the State. It constitutes 40 per cent of Odisha’s exports and 45 per cent of industrial workers.”
Agro food processing is at a growing stage in the State, but it has tremendous scope to add to the success of MSMEs, he added.
He also said under Odisha Food Processing Policy 2013, the State aims to increase share of food processing in MSME industry to 10 per cent by 2017 and 25 per cent by 2025.
Food scientist and former Director General, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR, Dr V Prakash said the raw materials in Odisha are very useful for the industries.
The State has tremendous potential to increase agriculture production, he added. Affordable, acceptable and adoptable technology should be introduced in the food processing industries, he added.
Principal Secretary, Department of MSME, GK Dhal said, “The food processing policy of the State is designed to promote entrepreneurs. We are offering a number of incentives including 25 per cent subsidy on capital investment, VAT reimbursement, special subsidy for investment in food parks etc,” he said.
Entrepreneurs in the state should come up and equip themselves with technology and establish themselves as successful businessmen, he added.
Anil Agarwal Foundation president Bijay Kumar Patnaik in his welcome address said, “Odisha is an agrarian economy, but farmers here do not get the real return of their products.
This can be solved through suitable adaptation of food processing technologies which can play medium to unlocking real value of local farmers’ produce and deliver desired return.”