The Netherlands has shown inclination to invest in Uttar Pradesh andtrain farmers in hi-tech farming.
An indication to this effect was given by the Netherlands Ambassador Alphonsus Stoelinga, who said Dutch investors were keen to invest in infrastructure, power and waterways in UP.
Stoelinga visited the state capital on Monday with a delegation of embassy officials and held discussions with Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan and senior officials of different departments.
"The Dutch embassy in India is keen to help investors who are willing to invest in Uttar Pradesh. The investors are willing to invest in infrastructure, dairy, food processing and power sectors," Stoelinga said.
During the meeting with the Chief Minister, the two countries decided to set up a Centre of Excellence in potato cultivation and processing at Chandrashekhar Azad Agriculture University in Kanpur. It was also decided that the CSA University would sign a memorandum of understanding with Wageningen University, the Netherlands, for
upgradation of dairy industry and horticulture. "Uttar Pradesh is interested to increase dairy and farm production of farmers with the help of the Dutch government. This will in other way improve the financial health of the farmers," the Chief Minister said. Earlier,
the Chief Secretary said that Uttar Pradesh was the biggest producers of potato. "If the Netherlands Agro Food and Technology Centre helps the farmers, potato production can increase. The Government is ready to set up centres of excellence in Kannauj, Farrukhabad andFirozabad," Ranjan said.
"A large volume of agricultural produce gets destroyed. The Netherlands can help the state Government in setting up cold chain," he said.